![\"Fred](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01kyxd9sxyvsmty8g2rx.jpg\" "\\"Fred")
<\/p>\n
Fred Hoiberg celebrates with Braden Frager during the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
What It Means for Nebraska<\/p>\n
The Husker men’s basketball team’s stock has never been higher. Nebraska spent 15 weeks ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, and Fred Hoiberg was named the outlet’s National Coach of the Year<\/a>. <\/p>\n However, the success was made possible by a veteran-heavy roster a season ago. The Big Red were set to lose three starters in Rienk Mast<\/a>, Sam Hoiberg, and Lawrence due to eligibility, while Berke B\u00fcy\u00fcktuncel entered the transfer portal. First-Team All-Big Ten forward Pryce Sandfort was expected to be the only returning starter from last year. <\/p>\n That can now change. While Mast and Hoiberg are not affected by Friday’s ruling because both utilized a redshirt season, Lawrence appears to be among the players eligible to receive an additional year. The news could give NU back one of the most experienced guards in college basketball.<\/p>\n Note: Lawrence’s potential return is only possible as a result of redshirt senior forward Henry Burt not taking up a roster spot, due to a “grandfather clause” implemented during the House vs NCAA settlement. Otherwise, the Huskers would already have a full 15-man roster for 2026-27. <\/p>\n Kendall Blue celebrates with fans after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Pinnacle Bank Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n Another Husker This Affects<\/p>\n It’s also worth noting that fellow would-be fifth-year guard Kendall Blue, who transferred to Nebraska from St. Thomas (Minn.), could also return. Listed at 6-foot-6, Blue played a reserve role for the Big Red last season while seeing action in19 games. He has recorded 1,026 career points and 401 rebounds to this point in his career. <\/p>\n Statement from the NCAA: “Without targeted intervention from Congress, college sports cannot set nationwide rules everyone can play by and without Congress, failed professionals will continue to use college sports as a fallback option \u2014 robbing the next class of young athletes of\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/WhPR9VzX1M<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) August 1, 2026<\/a>What’s Next<\/p>\n The NCAA wasn’t happy with Friday’s ruling. In a statement, the organization called on Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act, saying decisions like this are “robbing the next class of college scholarships.”<\/p>\n Ross Dellenger<\/a> of Yahoo Sports reported that Big Ten presidents and chancellors voted in favor of supporting the Protect College Sports Act earlier today. SEC presidents and chancellors, meeting this evening, could do the same.<\/p>\n For now, though, the injunction ruling remains in place. That means Lawrence currently has the chance to return for one final year. The Huskers have seemingly been waiting on this to occur. Still, there’s no doubt they went into the offseason expecting their former starting guard to be moving on. <\/p>\n Expect an update soon. <\/p>\n Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI<\/a>, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube<\/a> and visiting Hus4kerMax.com<\/a> daily.<\/p>\n![\"Kendall](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/01kyxgz5qfp9d9n6vyd2.jpg\" "\\"Kendall")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on Google