Fred Hoiberg added another piece to the Husker basketball roster on Wednesday.
Derrick Walker, who spent two seasons at Tennessee, announced he’ll be transferring to Nebraska. Nebraska officially announced the addition of Walker, who will sit out next season and then have two seasons of eligibility remaining, Wednesday.
“Derrick is a physical player who gives us skill and versatility in the post,” Hoiberg said. “He has played in big games over the last two years, and his experience will be an asset for us with so many newcomers on the roster.”
Walker — a 6-foot-8 forward from Kansas City — played in 30 games off the bench last season for Tennessee. He averaged 5.3 minutes, 0.8 points and 1.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore, and 1.9 points and 2.2 rebounds as a freshman.
Out of high school, Walker was the No. 66 ranked power forward and No. 2 player in the state of Missouri.
The addition of Walker brought Nebraska to the maximum of 13 scholarships, though hours later the Huskers added another commitment — 2019 shooting guard Samari Curtis — that brings the total to 14.
That number does include Isaiah Roby, who is deciding whether to leave Nebraska or stay in the NBA draft. Roby is at the NBA combine this week and projected to be picked in the mid-to-late second round next month.
A source inside the program on Wednesday said the coaching staff still does not know if Roby will return. Roby himself has said recently he’s not made his decision on if he’ll come back to school. He begins workouts at the NBA combine on Thursday.
Walker is yet another big man for Hoiberg. Since being hired, Hoiberg has added five players at 6-foot-8 or taller. Another is Dalano Banton, a 6-foot-8 transfer from Western Kentucky who also has to sit out next season. In the 2019 recruiting class, Kevin Cross is a 6-foot-8 forward from Little Rock, Arkansas, and Yvan Ouedraogo is a 6-foot-9, 260-pound forward from France. Matej Kavas, also 6-foot-8, is an immediately eligible graduate transfer from Seattle University.
Of Nebraska’s 14 scholarship players, 12 did not play a minute for Nebraska last season, and eight are transfers from other schools.
— Derrick Walker (@derric__k) May 15, 2019
Ohio shooting guard Samari Curtis joins Nebraska basketball’s 2019 recruiting class
Make that two commitments for the Huskers on Wednesday.
Just hours after Nebraska added Tennessee transfer Derrick Walker, NU piled on with a commitment from 2019 guard Samari Curtis.
Curtis is a 6-foot-4, 180-pound, three-star guard from Xenia, Ohio, who was previously committed to Cincinnati. He decommitted from the Bearcats on May 2. Now, two weeks later, he will be a Husker.
Nebraska currently has 14 players on scholarship, one above the limit of 13. But that includes Isaiah Roby, who is still deciding whether to return to Nebraska or stay in the NBA draft.
A source inside the program on Wednesday said the coaching staff still does not know if Roby will return. Roby himself has said recently he’s not made his decision on if he’ll come back to school. He begins workouts at the NBA combine on Thursday.
Curtis held offers from Nebraska, Xavier, Cincinnati and Dayton. He was named Mr. Basketball in Ohio and was a high-volume scorer in high school. Curtis averaged 34 points and 5.8 assists as a senior, and had games with 48 points, 52 points and twice had 47 points.
He will fill out the guard rotation with junior college transfers Cam Mack and Jervay Green, plus Robert Morris transfer Dachon Burke.
Since the hiring Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska has added 11 players to its roster.
Nebraska’s 2019 recruiting class ranks No. 41 in the country and fifth in the Big Ten, according to the 247Sports composite.
Yvan Ouedraogo — a 6-foot-9, 260-pound forward from France who committed last weekend — is Nebraska’s second-highest rated high school recruit this decade at No. 103 nationally, according to 247Sports. Samari Curtis ranks ninth.
committed♥️ pic.twitter.com/AT3GoAkqwX
— Makaveli???? (@samari41_) May 15, 2019
Nebraska basketball adds to 2019 recruiting class with Arkansas forward Kevin Cross
LINCOLN — Nebraska put the final touch on its 2019 recruiting class Monday night.
Kevin Cross, a 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward, announced his commitment to NU over Oklahoma State and TCU on his Instagram account. He signed with the Huskers during a ceremony at his high school on Wednesday.
“We are excited to have Kevin join our program,” Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He is a skilled big who brings versatility to our frontcourt with his ability to score both inside and out. We think he is a player who will develop in our up-tempo system.”
Cross, a late-bloomer from Little Rock, Arkansas, didn’t really begin to receive recruiting interest until after he led Wilbur D. Mills High School to a state title appearance during his senior season.
Nebraska hosted Cross on an official visit the weekend of April 26. He followed that visit with trips to Oklahoma State and TCU.
Wednesday marks the end of the spring signing period for the 2019 class. Nebraska is not expected to add anyone else, which means the class will finalize with Cross, Western Nebraska Community College guard Jervay Green, Omaha Creighton Prep forward Akol Arop, Salt Lake Community College guard Cam Mack and French forward Yvan Ouedraogo.
Nebraska currently has one open scholarship for next season, though that will be two if Isaiah Roby decides to stay in the NBA draft.
With Cross, Nebraska has five players on its roster measuring 6-foot-8 or taller. Roby and transfers Matej Kavas and Dalano Banton are listed at 6-8. Ouedrago, who turned 17 in March, will be the Huskers’ biggest player at 6-9 and 260 pounds.
