LINCOLN, NE. — The wait is over for the Husker faithful. Nebraska basketball officially announced today that star guard Braden Frager has re-signed with the program for his sophomore season. While the Lincoln native had signaled his intent to return during Nebraska’s deep postseason run, the official confirmation solidifies a roster that looks to build on a school-record 28-win season.
The Return of the «Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year»
Frager enters his second active season with a resume that already rivals program greats. As a redshirt freshman, he captured the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year award and earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team, averaging 11.8 points and shooting a stellar 48.7% from the field.
Despite his impact, Head Coach Fred Hoiberg hinted that the best is yet to come. Hoiberg noted that the team didn’t specifically design many plays for Frager last year—a strategy that is set to change. «We need that swagger,» Hoiberg stated, emphasizing that the sophomore will take on a much larger role in the offensive hierarchy moving forward.
A Hero in Husker Lore
Frager’s return isn’t just about the stats; it’s about the «clutch gene.» He became an instant legend during the NCAA Tournament with a game-winning driving bucket with just 2.2 seconds remaining to sink Vanderbilt 74-72.
«He’s a freak athlete,» teammate Sam Hoiberg said during the postgame celebrations in March. «He’s an unbelievably confident kid. It’s a confidence that I envy.» That fire was evident throughout the year, from his MVP performance at the Hall-of-Fame Classic to his late-game heroics on the road against Ohio State.
Setting a New Standard
For Frager, simply participating in March Madness is no longer the goal. Following Nebraska’s season-ending loss to Iowa—a game in which he drained five three-pointers—Frager made his intentions clear for the upcoming season.
«Now winning one or two games in the tournament is not enough,» Frager said from his locker room stall. With «Tough Tony» energy and a revamped offensive scheme, the Lincoln hometown hero is ready to lead Nebraska into uncharted territory.