Nebraska starting center Jordy Tshimanga, who left the team last Thursday and asked for a scholarship release, will return to the team Tuesday, coach Tim Miles said.
Tshimanga, who didn’t attend Monday’s home game against Illinois, said in a statement:
“Last week, I discussed some personal issues with Coach Miles. This conversation resulted in me not participating in team activities the last few days, but it has allowed me to work on these issues so I can fully focus on academics and basketball.”
The 6-foot-11 sophomore from Montreal thanked the coaching staff, his teammates and NU fans, saying: “I will continue to work hard to bring success to this team.”
Tshimanga started Nebraska’s first 18 games this season, averaging 3.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. As a freshman, he played in 31 games and started nine.
He shocked teammates and coaches by meeting with Miles shortly before Nebraska left for Penn State last Thursday and saying he wanted to transfer.
Unknown to Tshimanga at the time was that he would have had to sit out 1½ years before becoming eligible at another Division I school because he had already attended class and played in a game in Nebraska’s second semester.
