Nebraska basketball got some big news on Thursday evening, as guard Brice Williams and forward Juwan Gary announced that they would both be returning for the 2024-25 season. They made the announcement in a joint video on X.
Williams averaged 13.4 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Gary averaged 11.6 points per contest, to go along with 6.1 rebounds per game.
This is huge news for Nebraska basketball. There have been six scholarship players to enter the transfer portal so far this offseason. The return of these two brings back veteran leadership and depth in several aspects.
Williams was a tremendous scorer last season, shooting 44.4% from the field, to go along with 38.8% from beyond the arc and 84% from the free throw line. In addition, he was a tremendous mid-range scorer, and really started to find his groove was the end of the season and into the Big Ten tournament play. His 23 points against Indiana in the semifinals were certainly memorable.
Gary was looking for a chance at redemption coming into this past season, after missing most of the 2022-23 campaign due to injury. He provided a scoring spark, as well as stellar defensive play last season. His 22-point game against Minnesota on February 25 was a highlight of what was a very solid comeback season.
Big news for Nebraska basketball
Nebraska basketball is undoubtedly going to have some holes to fill, and that makes the return of Williams and Gary even more important. The Huskers at least have somewhat of a solid base in terms of returns. The biggest question next is whether or not Rienk Mast will return to the program as well. Having Mast return would be the ultimate icing on the cake for Nebraska basketball.
In what has been an offseason of movement, the fact that these two are here to stay in Lincoln is awesome news. Both players really fit into the Nebraska system well, and they have provided consistency and dependability throughout their tenure in Lincoln. Knowing that they are back in the program must make things a bit easier for Fred Hoiberg and his coaching staff.
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