NCAA Basketball: State of Nebraska turning into hotbed of high school talent
By Bryan Mauro
2020-21 Class from Nebraska
The state of Nebraska already has a large representation across the United States when it comes to College Basketball. The next crop of players set to enter Division 1 have all had decorated high school careers and many of them have committed to power schools and successful mid-majors. This crop of players are the ones who are going to work on changing the fortunes of the state of Nebraska nationally as it relates to high school basketball. The commits are below.
Teddy Allen (Boys Town) – Nebraska
At this point, everyone knows the story of Teddy Buckets. He is originally from Mesa, AZ and ended up graduating from Boys Town. He was one of the best players to ever play basketball in this state from an offensive standpoint. That earned him a scholarship to West Virginia.
He was a huge contributor to the Mountaineers and was listed by many to be an all-conference type player before his sophomore year. Then Teddy transferred to Wichita State where he got in some trouble and was never able to suit up for the Shockers. He took his talents to Western Nebraska CC where he led all JUCO in scoring and displayed the pure offensive game that attracted Coach Hoiberg and the staff at Nebraska to him. Allen is going to play a huge role for Nebraska in trying to speed up the rebuild.
Max Murrell (Millard North) – Stanford
Murrell played at Omaha powerhouse Millard North and played alongside a slew of potential Division 1 players. Murrell is a top 150 prospect and will go right in and be an instant contributor for the Stanford frontcourt. The four-star prospect was the prize of the Cardinal recruiting class until they were able to land top-five player Ziaire Williams. The power forward chose Stanford over a slew of other power offers including Nebraska.
Esahia Nyiwe (Omaha Northwest) – Texas Tech
The well-traveled big man finally lands at his destination. He started at Iowa Western and then played one year at Clarendon College. Nyiwe caught the attention of one of the best coaches in the country in Chris Beard. The Red Raiders are turning into one of the premier programs in the country and build their team through defense. Nyiwe is a good rebounder and rim protector and fits well into what Texas Tech is trying to do. He is a good offensive player in the post and with his back to the basket.
Latrell Wrightsell Jr (Omaha Central) – Cal State Fullerton
The Central standout is following in his father’s footsteps playing college basketball. Wrightsell Jr. is an elite scorer and is going to an offense that is very oriented around the elite guards. The Titans expect the guard to come in and score at a high level and lead their backcourt. Wrightsell is a talented kid who could quickly be one of the best players in the Big West Conference.
Donovan Williams (Lincoln NorthStar) – Oklahoma State
Williams is another player who has a story that most know. He was the prized possession of the Tim Miles recruiting class. He then got hurt, coach Miles got fired and new coach Hoiberg was hired. Williams and Hoiberg did not see eye to eye obviously.
Williams recovered from his knee injury and came back with a vengeance, trying to prove to everyone in the state that he could still play. Williams is also a top 150 recruit. He goes to Oklahoma State who is in desperate need of elite scoring in their backcourt. Williams provides that and he is another player who could quickly find himself as the go-to scoring option for a power five team.
Jay Pal (Omaha Central) – Jacksonville State
Pal makes his way to Jacksonville State after a stint at Clarendon College. The forward is extremely long and athletic and is going to make it tough for bigger players to stay in front of him. He can run the floor, dribble and drive to the basket. The one part of his game that is underrated is his ability to step out and hit a three, and his ability to push the break in transition. He should not have much of an adjustment time considering he played for one of the best JUCO’s in the country.
Ed Chang (Papillion-Lavista) – Missouri
Chang has had an interesting path to Missouri. When in High School he was one of the best players in the state and he ended up committing to Washington, but before ever playing for Washington he decommitted and then played for San Diego State with his lifelong friend Aguek Arop. Chang was an Aztec for one season before transferring to Salt Lake Community College. Out of Salt Lake, he committed to Missouri and Cuonzo Martin. The forward is a good shooter and extremely athletic and can provide a role for the Tigers with his shooting.
Nick Ferrarini (Millard North) – Omaha
The guard has transferred up from Wayne State to Omaha. When he is eligible to play he is going to provide a lot of scoring and shooting from deep to an Omaha team that desperately needs a great shooter.