Nebraska men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg needed to replace talent and minutes from this past season, and he went out to do just that on signing day.
After his first season as the head coach in Lincoln, five players left, including three transfers that played significant roles in 2019-20. Five new players signed to play for Hoiberg Wednesday.
“We are excited to bring in this five-man class that brings size, length, athleticism, scoring ability and experience,” said Hoiberg. “We feel as if we addressed our needs with this group and certainly elevated our program. This is a hard-working group that will bring energy and toughness every time they step out on the floor. When you add this class with the players who have had a year in our system, it will allow us to play a style which we think can be successful in the Big Ten.”
Two junior college standouts are making their way to Lincoln. First, someone familiar with the state in 6-foot-5 Teddy Allen. Allen starred at Boys Town and was the 2017 Nebraska Gatorade High School Player of the Year. He began his career at West Virginia before transferring to Wichita State where he did not play. This past season at Western Nebraska Community College, Allen led the NJCAA in scoring, averaging 31.4 ppg, which was the most by a junior college player since the 2013-14 season. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
“Teddy is a tremendous addition to our roster,” said Hoiberg. “He is a big, physical wing who rebounds his position very well. Offensively, he is an efficient player who possesses an elite ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways. Teddy brings high-major college experience and NCAA Tournament experience during his time at West Virginia. His ability to play multiple positions in our lineup will give us an opportunity to take advantage of his unique and versatile skillset.”
Also coming from the junior college ranks and bringing some size with his is 6-foot-9 Lat Mayen. A native of Adelaide, Australia, Mayen played was at TCU for two seasons before moving on to Chipola College in Florida. While there, he averaged 11.8 points per game on 47 percent shooting along with 8.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
“We are pleased to welcome Lat to Husker basketball,” said Hoiberg. “He is a high-motor player who provides us with an immediate presence on the glass. He battled injuries in his two years at TCU, but he showed that he can play at a high level when healthy. His skill set is tailor-made for how we want to play, as he is a 6-foot-9 forward who can crash the glass and spread the floor with his ability to hit 3-point shots. He plays extremely hard and his experience will help our younger players.”
Coming to Nebraska from within the Big Ten Conference is 6-foot-4 Kobe King. In his two seasons with Wisconsin, King played in 63 games, starting 20, and was the second-leading scorer for the Badgers when he left the program during the 2019-20 season. In Big Ten play this past season, King led Wisconsin with 12.6 ppg on 52 percent shooting in nine conference games. He has two seasons of eligibility to use at Nebraska.
“We are pleased to add Kobe King to our roster,” said Hoiberg. “He is a tough, versatile guard who can score in a variety of ways and is a very good finisher at the rim. Kobe is a hard-nosed defender and can guard multiple positions. He knows how to win and what it takes to be successful in the Big Ten Conference. Kobe has a great work ethic and will continue to enhance his overall game. We are confident that he will thrive in our system.”
The second Kobe to commit to Hoiberg comes from Western Illinois. Kobe Webster, the 6-foot guard, is a grad transfer who scored over 1,400 points and dished out nearly 300 assists in 85 career starts over his three years. Webster earned second-team All-Summit League accolades in 2019 and 2020. He has one season of eligibility left.
“We are excited to add Kobe Webster to our program,” said Hoiberg. “He brings elite leadership skills and showed that he can run a team as a three-year starter at Western Illinois. He fits very well in our system because of his perimeter shooting and his ability to play both guard positions. He’s also an excellent student who graduated in three years.”
The final signee on the day is 6-foot-4 Trey McGowens. The former top-100 recruit played two seasons at Pittsburgh. As a sophomore, he started 32 of 33 games, averaging 11.5 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. He is rated among the top-10 sit-out transfers by both ESPN and Rivals.com. McGowens will have two years to play at Nebraska.
“Trey was a two-year starter in the ACC who understands what it takes to compete and flourish at this level,” Hoiberg said. “Offensively, he has the ability to score from a variety of spots and has the court vision to handle either backcourt spot in our system. He is a dynamic player who uses his athleticism to make an impact on both ends of the court. Trey is a high-character kid who will make an immediate impact to our program.”
The five newcomers join sit-out transfers Dalano Banton, Shamiel Stevenson, and Derrick Walker.
Hoiberg has one scholarship spot remaining for the 2020-21 season.