Nebraska men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg announced Wednesday that Berke Buyuktuncel (pronounced BEAR-keh buh-YOOK-toon-jell) will join the Husker basketball program for the 2024-25 season. 

Buyuktuncel, a 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward from Bursa, Turkey, comes to Nebraska after spending his freshman year at UCLA in 2023-24. He played in 26 games, including eight starts for the Bruins. Buyuktuncel was rated the No. 36 player in the class of 2023 by 24/7 Sports, while he was rated by ESPN.com as the No. 2 international player to enter college basketball in 2023-24.

“Berke is a skilled forward who can impact the game on both ends of the court,” Hoiberg said. “He was one of the top international prospects coming into college last year and having a year of experience will benefit his development. His versatility makes him a natural fit for us. He is a high IQ player who can initiate offense from the frontcourt position and can stretch defenses with his shooting ability. He has very good positional size and can guard multiple positions with his length and defensive instincts.”

Buyuktuncel averaged 4.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 24 games in 2023-24, as he missed the first three games of the year awaiting clearance from the NCAA while also missing time with a pair of injuries.  He averaged 17.5 minutes per game while making seven of his eight starts in Pac-12 play. His other came in his college debut against Marquette in the Maui Invitational. He posted a pair of double-figure efforts – a season-high 13 points against Stanford and 12 points at Oregon.  He had a season-high five rebounds on three occasions, once against Maryland and in both regular-season contests against Washington. In the first matchup, he added nine points and a pair of assists in 32 minutes of work against the Huskies. 

He is well known in international circles, as Buyuktuncel made his Turkish senior national team debut at age 18 at the 2023 World Cup qualifier and has represented Turkey in numerous international youth events. In the summer of 2023, he led Turkey to a third-place finish at the FIBA U19 World Cup, including a 84-70 win over the United State in the third-place game. In that contest, he had 19 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. He was named to the “All-Star Five” at the event, as he averaged 11.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in seven games, including 34.8 percent from 3-point range and 86.7 percent from the free throw line. He was also chosen to the “All-Star Five” at the 2022 U18 European Championships after helping Turkey to a runner-up finish, as he averaged 12.3 points on 46.8 percent shooting, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals in seven contests. Buyuktuncel also represented Turkey in the 2023 U20 European Championships, averaging 11.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as one of the youngest players on the roster. He also competed for Turkey’s youth national teams in 2021 at the FIBA U18 European Challengers and at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. Buyuktuncel played for Tofas Bursa in Turkey for four years, making 33 appearances for the club in his final season, including the Turkish Leage and the Basketball Champions League, averaging 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds pe game. 

Buyuktuncel joins a recruiting class that includes Division I transfers Andrew Morgan (North Dakota State), Rollie Worster (Utah), Gavin Griffiths (Rutgers), Connor Essegian (Wisconsin) and Braxton Meah (Washington) along with freshmen Braden Frager (Lincoln, Neb.) and Nick Janowski (Pewaukee, Wis.).

THREE FORMER HUSKERS SELECTED FOR U.S. OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL TEAM

Three former Nebraska volleyball players have been named to the USA Women's Volleyball National Team that will represent the country at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 from July 28-Aug. 11. 

Jordan Larson, Kelsey Robinson Cook and Justine Wong-Orantes will compete for the U.S. Women's National Team as it looks to follow up on its gold medal from the 2020 Tokyo Games. In that Olympics, Larson was named Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Hitter after becoming the first American woman (along with Foluke Akinradewo) to claim gold (Tokyo 2020), silver (London 2012) and bronze (Rio de Janeiro 2016) medals in indoor volleyball. 

Larson, who was a three-time All-American at Nebraska while lettering from 2005-08, is competing in her fourth straight Olympics. She also is entering her second season as an assistant coach for the Huskers and will resume coaching duties after the Olympics. 

Robinson Cook, an All-American at NU in 2013, was also a member of the bronze-medal winning team in 2016 and gold-medal winning team in 2020, while two-time All-American Wong-Orantes (2013-16) made her Olympic debut in Tokyo and joined Larson on the Tokyo 2020 Dream Team. 

“We have so much for which to be grateful in our Women's National Team," Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. "So many quality human beings who are dedicated, mindful and hard-working women. So many who have both people skills and volleyball skills at such a high level. Our core group of 25 Women's National Teamers has done great work over the past months, preparing to help bring out the best in each person around her, with an eye toward the Paris Olympics.

“Roster selections like this bring both the bitter and the sweet. The bitter is that we cannot travel all 25 of these special women to Paris. But we will carry them in our hearts and thoughts, and they will continue to make us better until the last ball drops.

“The sweet is that our Olympic roster is now clear, and we are ecstatic for this group, and for our program. This group of athletes will be set to bring their best and be their most bulletproof, in what might be the deepest Olympic tournament ever. We can't wait to watch them 'Let It Rip' in Paris!”

The U.S.  Women went into the 2024 season ranked No. 2 in the world. The team has competed in 12 Olympic Games, including the last 10. The U.S. Women qualified for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, which the United States boycotted.

The U.S. Women have won one Olympic gold medal (2020), three silver medals (1984, 2008 and 2012) and two bronze medals (1992 and 2016).

The women’s Olympic competition schedule and pools will be revealed at the conclusion of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League preliminary rounds, which end on June 16. The U.S. Women play their final preliminary round of the Volleyball Nations League next week in Fukuoka, Japan.

Indoor volleyball at the 2024 Olympic Games will take place at South Paris Arena 1.

Olympic Games Paris 2024
Women's Indoor Volleyball Schedule
Paris, France (South Paris Arena)

July 28-Aug. 4: Preliminary Phase
Aug. 6: Quarterfinals
Aug. 8: Semifinals
Aug. 10: Bronze Medal Match
Aug. 11: Gold Medal Match

U.S. Women’s Roster for the Olympic Games Paris 2024
No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)
2 Jordyn Poulter (S, 6-2, Aurora, Colo., Univ. of Illinois, Rocky Mountain)
3 Avery Skinner (OH, 6-1, Katy, Texas, Univ. of Kentucky, Lone Star)
4 Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska, Southern California)
7 Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, Aurora, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin, Great Lakes)
10 Jordan Larson (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Univ. of Nebraska, Great Plains)
11 Annie Drews (Opp, 6-4, Elkhart, Ind., Purdue Univ., Hoosier)
12 Jordan Thompson (Opp, 6-4, Edina, Minn., Univ. of Cincinnati, North Country)
15 Haleigh Washington (MB, 6-3, Colorado Springs, Colo., Penn State Univ., Rocky Mountain)
16 Dana Rettke (MB, 6-8, Riverside, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin, Great Lakes)
22 Kathryn Plummer (OH, 6-6, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Stanford Univ., Southern California)
23 Kelsey Robinson Cook (OH, 6-2, Bartlett, Ill., Univ. of Nebraska, Great Lakes)
24 Chiaka Ogbogu (MB, 6-2, Coppell, Texas, Univ. of Texas, North Texas)

Alternates
1 Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Edmond, Okla., Penn State Univ., Oklahoma)
5 Ali Frantti (OH, 6-1, Spring Grove, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
6 Morgan Hentz (L, 5-9, Lakeside Park, Ky., Stanford Univ., Pioneer)
14 Anna Stevenson Hall (MB, 6-2, Laurens, S.C., Univ. of Louisville, Palmetto)
29 Khalia Lanier (OH/Opp, 6-2, Scottsdale, Ariz., Univ. of Southern California, Arizona)

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coaches: Tama Miyashiro, Erin Virtue, Alfee Reft 
Consultant Coach: Marv Dunphy
Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer: Kara Kessans
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brandon Siakel 
Performance Analyst: Rianne Verhoek
Team Leader: Coley Pawlikowski
Mental Performance Coach: Katy Stanfill 
Culture Consultant: Sue Enquist
Dietitian: Shawn Hueglin
Massage Therapist: Ricardo Brambila 
Team Doctor: Dr. Lori Boyajian-O’Neill

ANDREWS SIGNS WITH ATHLETES UNLIMITED PRO SOFTBALL

Two-time All-America shortstop Billie Andrews signed a professional contract with Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball, the league announced on Wednesday. Andrews was one of four rookies added to the 42-player roster for the AUX season that begins on June 10 at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita, Kansas.

Andrews heads to the professional ranks after a distinguished collegiate career. She played in 208 games as a Husker, batting .347 with 34 doubles, five triples, 61 home runs and 157 RBIs. Andrews posted a .432 on-base percentage, .679 slugging percentage and 1.111 OPS in her career.

A two-time All-American, three-time all-region selection and four-time All-Big Ten honoree, Andrews set four Nebraska records in her career. The Huskers’ all-time home run leader, Andrews ended her career second all-time at Nebraska in extra-base hits (100), total bases (465) and slugging percentage, third in runs (191), sixth in hits (238), seventh in RBIs, ninth in batting average and walks (97) and 10th in stolen bases (50).

Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball is part of the Athletes Unlimited professional sports franchise. Named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2023, Athletes Unlimited is a new model of pro sports, where athletes are decision-makers and individual players are champions of team sports. Athletes Unlimited owns and operates professional women’s softball, lacrosse, volleyball and basketball leagues featuring world-class competition and fan experience, and stands out as an organization driven by the athletes that play in the leagues, with athlete representation on the company’s board of directors, each league led by a Player Executive Committee and players sharing in long-term profits of the company, all while being proactive in shaping policies supporting the mothers that play in the league. Athletes Unlimited is the first professional sports league to be organized as a Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit AUProSports.com. 

TURNER CONTINUES AMAZING PRO CAREER

Former Husker Yvonne Turner is in the middle of another productive season in her 14th year as a professional women's basketball player in 2024.

Turner, who was a first-team All-Big 12 selection as a 5-8 guard for the Huskers in 2010, is currently competing in Mexico for Halcones de Xalapa. Through six games, Turner is averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.0 steal, since joining the team on May 16.

Turner's time in Mexico began just eight days after she completed the 2023-24 European season with Sopron in Hungary, where she averaged 10.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals. She played 21 games for Sopron during 2023-24, and is staying sharp in Mexico in case a midseason call from the WNBA comes this summer.

A starting guard on the 2010 Nebraska team that won the Big 12 championship with the first unbeaten regular season in Big 12 history before earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Turner completed her fifth WNBA season as a member of the 2023 Seattle Storm. She also started the 2022 season with the Minnesota Lynx before playing for the Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury to close the year.

Turner returned to the Mercury after a two-year WNBA absence caused by COVID-19 and a knee injury suffered in February of 2020. In 2019, Turner averaged 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists over 29 games with 14 starts for Phoenix. In 2018, she was a playoff starter for the Mercury. In 2017, Turner averaged 9.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in the playoffs, while averaging 5.1 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.1 assists on the season.

Turner played for Sopron (Hungary) and Polkowice (Poland) in 2022-23. She averaged 10 points and 3.3 assists for Mersin (Turkey) in her return from injury in 2021-22. Turner played with Nadezhda Orenburg (Russia) in 2019-20, leading the team in scoring (14.3 ppg) while adding 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals before her knee injury.

As a star for Sopron in 2018-19, Turner averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.6 steals. She led Sopron to the EuroLeague title game as the league's top point guard in 2017-18. She played in Australia (Bundaburg, 2010-11), Germany (USC Freiburg, 2010-11, 2011-12), Russia (Dynamo GUVD Novosibirsk, 2012-13), Turkey (Antkya, 2013-14), Spain (Mann Filter Zaragoza, 2014-15) and Poland (TS Wisla Can-Pack Krakow) in 2015-16. She had WNBA Training Camp contracts with San Antonio (2013) and Chicago (2014).

Turner earned her bachelor's degree from Nebraska in May 2010 after majoring in child, youth and family studies. A first-team WBCA High School All-American out of Bellevue East, Turner was the 2006 Gatorade Nebraska High School Player of the Year. 

Turner ranks No. 5 on Nebraska's all-time three-point list with 183, while her 82 threes as a senior are tied for fifth in Husker history. The 2010 Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Turner finished fifth on NU's career steals list with 229, after earning three straight Big 12 All-Defensive Team selections.

As a senior, Turner helped the Huskers to their most successful season in history by averaging 13.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals in Big 12 play. The Huskers finished 32-2, including 16-0 in the league. Turner helped shoot the Huskers to a Big 12 record-tying 30-game win streak to open the 2009-10 season. Turner finished as one of just six players in Nebraska history with 1,000 points, 200 assists and 200 steals in her career.

TOMINAGA TO BEGIN NATIONAL TEAM CAMP

Former Husker men’s basketball standout Keisei Tominaga was one of 24 players selected for Japan’s pre-Olympic Training Camp announced this week.  

Tominaga will join the team later this week, as he returns to Japan following pre-draft workouts with the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls over the last week.

Japan will face Australia in a two-game series on June 22 and 23 to begin its preparation for the Paris Olympics. Tominaga could potentially face another former Husker, as Jack McVeigh could play for Australia, but Basketball Australia has not announced its roster for the event.

Japan is scheduled to play five games prior to the start of the Olympics, including two matchups with Korea (July 5 and 7) and one against Germany (July 19).

Tominaga, who will look to make his second Olympics appearance, as he played 3x3 basketball in the Tokyo Olympics, has been a member of the Japan Senior National Team for the past two years, including helping Japan qualify for the Paris Olympics with his performance at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. In that event, he averaged 11.4 points per game on 45 percent shooting, including 38 percent from 3-point range, as Japan went 3-2 and qualified for the Olympics.

Tominaga spent the past three seasons at Nebraska, totaling 1,074 points to rank 30th on Nebraska’s career scoring list while finishing seventh on NU’s career 3-point list with 178. A two-time All-Big Ten honoree, he enjoyed his best season in 2023-24, averaging 15.1 points per game while posting career highs in nearly every offensive category enroute to second-team All-Big Ten honors. His 76 3-pointers in 2023-24 ranked eighth on NU’s single-season chart while he was sixth in the Big Ten in 3-pointers per game. He had a career-high 31 points at Illinois, one of three career 30-point efforts as a Husker. His efforts helped Nebraska to a 23-11 record in 2023-24, a third-place Big Ten finish and the school’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014.  

He graduated from Nebraska in 2024 with a degree in child, youth & family studies in May. Tominaga was a finalist for Outstanding Male Student-Athlete and Male Athlete of the Year for his achievements in the classroom and on the basketball court in 2023-24.