Three members of the Nebraska basketball team have decided to continue their careers elsewhere on a busy Monday for the Huskers’ roster.
Sophomore center Yvan Ouedraogo was the first to announce he has decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal in a message on Twitter Monday afternoon.
Thank you for everything 🖤 pic.twitter.com/uW3j6RUDDG
— Yvan Ouedraogo (@Yvanouedball) March 15, 2021
The 6-foot-9, 245-pound big man from Bordeaux, France, started 30 games as a freshman, leading Nebraska with 6.3 rebounds while playing 21.4 minutes per game. He averaged 4.7 points but shot just 41.7% from the field.
This season, Ouedraogo saw a reduced role, playing in just 22 of Nebraska’s 27 games with two starts. He averaged 3.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per game while shooting 42.4% from the field. He recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds against Doane, but that was his only game with double-digit points or rebounds.
After playing a sizable role off the bench early in the season, his playing time dropped as Derrick Walker became eligible and as Eduardo Andre continued to improve, ultimately passing him up on the depth chart. Ouedraogo played less than 10 minutes in six of his last nine games and logged DNPs in four of Nebraska’s last five games.
Ouedraogo showed promise as a rebounder and ball-screen defender because of his activity and foot speed, but his offense never developed like it needed to as he struggled to catch the ball and finish around the rim, and he shot 44.7% from the free-throw line during his two-year career.
Walker, Andre and Lat Mayen are currently set to return for Nebraska next season and the Huskers will add a 6-foot-9 stretch forward to the roster in 4-star signee Wilhelm Breidenbach from Mater Dei in California. Ouedraogo’s departure leaves Nebraska with one open scholarship for 2021-22.
Monday evening, freshman guard Elijah Wood announced his intention to transfer.
— Youngest shark (@The301elijah) March 15, 2021
Wood appeared in 13 games this season, averaging 3.1 minutes per game. The Maryland native was 4-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-10 from 3.
He’ll be joined in the portal by sophomore forward Akol Arop a source confirmed to Hail Varsity. Arop missed the 2020–21 season after suffering a knee injury that required surgery. The Omaha Creighton Prep alum appeared in 21 games last season as a true freshman, averaging 5.4 minutes per game.
“Everyone in our program appreciates Akol, Yvan and Elijah’s contributions to our program, especially over the past year during the pandemic,” Coach Fred Hoiberg said. “I have enjoyed coaching all of them and will support them as they finish the spring semester and begin the process of looking at other schools. I wish them the best in the future.”
