Nebraska Basketball Is Heating Up-And 5-Star Dawson Battie Is Taking Notice
Nebraska men’s basketball is in uncharted territory-and not just because of the 20-0 start Fred Hoiberg’s squad pulled off before falling to Michigan on Tuesday night. The Huskers are playing with a level of confidence and consistency we haven’t seen in Lincoln in decades. And now, for the first time ever, they’re in the mix for a five-star recruit.
That recruit is Dawson Battie, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward out of Dallas, and one of the most coveted players in the 2027 class. Battie, ranked No. 11 nationally, has just two unofficial visits scheduled.
First up? Nebraska on February 1.
Then it’s Texas on March 7.
Let that sink in-Nebraska is not just on the radar. They’re the first stop.
For a program that’s never signed a five-star player and has never advanced beyond the second round of the NCAA Tournament, this is a major storyline. Hoiberg has already checked off one box with the 20-game win streak to open the season. Now, the next frontier could be cracking the second weekend of March Madness-and landing a blue-chip talent like Battie would be a statement that the Huskers are here to stay.
The Recruiting Landscape Is Changing-and Nebraska’s Rising
The highest-rated signee in Nebraska history is Bryce McGowens, a four-star who came in 2021, averaged 16.8 points in his lone season, and jumped to the NBA. But the tide is shifting.
The Huskers have already locked in commitments from four-star small forward Collin Rice and four-star shooting guard Jacob Lanier in the 2026 class, along with 2027 wing Ty Schlagel. That’s three top-tier high school prospects in two classes-and potentially a fourth if Battie joins the fold.
Hoiberg’s approach is starting to pay off. In the NIL era, where name, image, and likeness opportunities can level the playing field, Nebraska is becoming a serious player.
The program’s red-hot start this season has only added fuel to the fire. Recruits are watching, and they’re starting to believe Lincoln could be the place to shine.
Battie Brings Star Power-and a Deep Basketball Pedigree
Make no mistake-Dawson Battie is the kind of prospect who can change a program’s trajectory. He’s not just a top-15 recruit; he comes from a basketball family.
His father played at Temple. His older brother, Dillon, is a 2024 Temple signee.
And his uncle? That would be Tony Battie, the former Texas Tech standout and No. 5 pick in the 1997 NBA Draft who carved out a 14-year career in the league.
This isn’t a case of a hidden gem. Battie is being pursued by some of the biggest names in college basketball-Kentucky, Auburn, Virginia, and several other Power 4 programs are already in the mix. That Nebraska is getting one of his first visits speaks volumes about what Hoiberg and his staff are building.
A Strategic Shift in Lincoln
While many programs are leaning harder into the Transfer Portal and international recruiting, Nebraska is zagging-investing in high school talent and building long-term. That doesn’t mean Hoiberg is abandoning his other tools.
He’ll still tap into the portal and overseas markets to round out his roster. But the Huskers are now proving they can compete for elite high school players, too.
That’s a big deal in today’s recruiting landscape. With so many programs chasing quick fixes, Nebraska is positioning itself as a place where top talent can develop, win, and thrive.
What’s Next?
Battie’s visit to Lincoln on February 1 could be a pivotal moment. It’s a chance for the Huskers to showcase not just their facilities and fan base, but the direction of the program. If Nebraska can follow up its breakout season with a deep tournament run and land a five-star centerpiece for the future, the narrative around this program changes entirely.
For now, Nebraska fans should take a moment to appreciate where things stand. This isn’t the same program that’s spent decades on the fringes of college basketball relevance. Hoiberg has them right in the middle of the national conversation-and with players like Dawson Battie taking notice, the best may still be ahead.