Braden Frager’s breakout freshman campaign has been one of the brightest storylines for Nebraska basketball this season - which made his early exit against Washington all the more concerning for Huskers fans.
Frager, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week, logged just four minutes in Wednesday night’s matchup before heading to the bench and not returning in the first half. Nebraska didn’t immediately provide an official update, but Big Ten Network’s Andy Katz reported the injury was to Frager’s lower leg. Later, On3’s Steve Marik identified the issue as a possible left ankle injury, pointing to a specific play where Frager appeared to tweak something on a drive to the basket.
It happened early - Frager was attacking the rim in transition after a Washington turnover, looking to put up his first points of the night. He landed awkwardly, and while he stayed upright and didn’t go down in obvious pain, something clearly wasn’t right. He checked out shortly after and didn’t return, with Nebraska labeling him as “questionable” for the remainder of the game.
The good news? Nebraska didn’t miss a beat in the first half, heading into the locker room with a 41-28 lead. The Huskers looked composed and confident, showing they could hold their own even without their star freshman on the floor - at least for the moment.
But let’s be clear: Frager’s impact goes well beyond a single game. He’s been a key piece of Nebraska’s success this season, offering a rare combination of athleticism, poise, and scoring touch that’s hard to find in a first-year player. His ability to create offense, both in transition and in the half-court, has added a new dimension to Nebraska’s attack.
That’s why his status moving forward could have major implications - especially with a tough stretch of Big Ten play on the horizon. Nebraska faces Michigan next week, and that matchup could demand every bit of firepower the Huskers can muster. While they’ve shown they can compete without Frager in spurts, having him healthy and available is a different story altogether.
Even if the injury isn’t serious, Nebraska will want him back in rhythm before they take on Minnesota in the following game. In a conference where every possession matters and depth is constantly tested, having a player like Frager sidelined for any length of time could shift the balance.
For now, Nebraska fans will hold their breath and hope this is nothing more than a minor setback for one of the team’s most promising young stars. Because if Frager can stay healthy, the ceiling for this Huskers squad gets a whole lot higher.