Pryce Sandfort isn’t going anywhere. After a breakout season that helped Nebraska reach its first-ever Sweet 16, the forward said Monday that he’s coming back to Lincoln for the 2026-27 season instead of testing the NBA draft waters.
Sandfort’s numbers tell the story of just how central he was to Nebraska’s run. He averaged 18.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while starting all 35 games. He also led the Big Ten in made three-pointers and finished second all-time in conference history with 129 on the season.
That production earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors, but the decision to return came down to more than the accolades. Sandfort explained that he explored the NBA process, but the feedback he received pointed him toward another year in college.
“You know, looked at the NBA, some of the forms that you do when you reach out to GM’s and teams. Got some feedback, was going to be second round if I couldn’t improve stock with my surgery I had at the end of the season, so I wasn’t able to do team workouts or anything.
It’s possible I could’ve slid in the first round, but I really just wanted to come back for another year. It was just an amazing year last year, and I didn’t really want to give it up.”
For Nebraska, the news is a major boost. Sandfort’s shooting and his role as a primary offensive engine made him one of the most important players in the league last season, and bringing him back gives the Huskers a proven centerpiece as they try to build on a historic year.
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The bigger picture for Nebraska is what comes next, because the staff is not stopping with one elite arm. The Huskers have also extended an offer to three-star 2028 quarterback Jaxson Carper, who is beginning to attract a growing list of programs, giving Nebraska an early foothold in another cycle while Taylors recruitment keeps sharpening the outlook under center. [Read more 🡒]
Why Holgorsen Still Sees Bonner As A Key Piece For Nebraska
Janiran Bonner has remained part of the conversation around Nebraskas offense even while he works his way back from a lost season. Dana Holgorsen has continued to point to Bonner as a player whose value goes beyond the usual box score, praising the way he handles his work and the leadership presence he brings to the room.
What makes Bonner especially interesting is the range of ways Nebraska can use him once he is back on the field this fall. Holgorsen views him as a versatile piece who can fit into multiple offensive roles, and that kind of flexibility is exactly why his deployment remains a point worth watching as the Cornhuskers keep shaping their attack. [Read more 🡒]