Rienk Mast made a strong first impression in NBA Summer League, and he did it the way he spent much of his Nebraska career: filling up the box score.
The former Huskers standout posted 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in the Indiana Pacers’ 99-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in his debut. It was a double-double right out of the gate for the power forward, who arrived in Las Vegas as one of four Nebraska players in the annual event.
Mast’s college resume helped set the stage for the moment. He was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree and finished his final season at Nebraska averaging 13.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He reached double figures in 24 games as a senior and topped 20 points five times.
After going undrafted in 2026, Mast signed with the Pacers as a free agent and is now trying to carve out his place at the next level. After the win, he laid out his approach to his first NBA action:
"I know I'm not a draft pick, so I'm not out here to take all the shine... I’ve got to do my job, I’ve got to work hard.”
Mast is joined in the 2026 NBA Summer League by fellow Huskers Sam Hoiberg with the Phoenix Suns, Josiah Allick with the Charlotte Hornets and Brice Williams with the Detroit Pistons. The Pacers are back on the floor Saturday, July 11, at 6:30 p.m. CT against the Philadelphia 76ers.
In Other News...
Former Husker Defender Suddenly Caught In A Massive SEC Money Fight
A former Nebraska defender has landed in the middle of a strange SEC financial dispute, one that has nothing to do with tackles or sacks and everything to do with buyout language. Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter is reportedly weighing legal action against former Rebels players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper after both transferred to LSU following Lane Kiffins departure, with the school now looking to recover money tied to their exits.
The buyout issue has become the latest reminder of how complicated roster movement can get in the revenue-sharing era, especially when players sign agreements to stay put and then leave anyway. Ole Miss says any potential lawsuit is about collecting what it believes it is owed, not about stirring up another layer of rivalry with LSU, but the financial standoff is still very much hanging over the situation. [Read more 🡒]
Caleb Benning Sends A Strong Message About Nebraskas Secondary Grind
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The bigger test, of course, comes once the pads go on and the competition becomes impossible to ignore. Nebraska has multiple safeties fighting for snaps, and Benning is right in the middle of that mix after finishing last season with a career-best showing in the Las Vegas Bowl. For now, the message from the room is less about declaring winners and more about the grind that has to continue before the Huskers open camp on Aug. 5. [Read more 🡒]
Nebraskas Linebacker Room Could Make Or Break Rob Aurichs Defense
Rob Aurichs arrival as Nebraskas defensive coordinator has put the spotlight squarely on a linebacker room that could end up defining how quickly his defense takes hold. The group has a mix of returners and newcomers, with Owen Chambliss following Aurich from San Diego State after thriving in the same 4-2-5 system, while Vincent Shavers Jr. and Dawson Merritt are back in the fold and transfers Dexter Foster and Will Hawthorne add more options for 2026.
The appeal is obvious: Aurich already knows what Chambliss can do in his scheme, and Nebraska is counting on that familiarity to speed up the transition. The bigger question is whether the rest of the room can settle into roles that fit what Aurich wants from the position, because if the linebackers dont come together, the entire defense could feel the strain in the Big Ten. [Read more 🡒]