It felt like Damon Wilkinson was close to pulling the trigger. It also felt like if Nebraska really wanted him, the Huskers were the team to beat. Both feelings proved accurate on Thursday afternoon as the former South Dakota State center became the latest Transfer Portal win for Fred Hoiberg and Co.
On3's Robin Washut was the first to announce the Wilkinson commitment. The pledge comes after the 6-foot-10 redshirt sophomore took a visit to Lincoln on Wednesday and then visited North Carolina State on Thursday. It appears the big man wasn't buying whatever the Wolfpack were selling.
Damon Wilkinson gives Nebraska basketball the true interior scorer this roster needed
The 6-foot-10, 245-pound center averaged 13.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game last season while shooting at a 58.9 percent clip -- which ranked 28th in the country. Wilkinson was the second-leading scorer despite playing just 23.9 minutes per game, which was nearly nine minutes less than the Jackrabbits' top scoring threat. The one area that might raise some eyebrows around Nebraska faithful is that Wilkinson is not only not a deep threat, but he's also taken just one three-point attempt in two seasons.
It's possible that Huskers head coach Fred Hoiberg believes his 2026-27 iteration needs some true bangers down low, instead of a steady diet of front court players who tend to play away from the basket as much as under it.
Nebraska basketball now has more balance between low-post muscle and floor spacing
On the other hand, another of the big men who is expected to see plenty of court time, Boden Kapke looks an awful lot like someone who could be a threat from beyond the arc, while Wilkinson will play down low.
Damon Wilkinson's commitment gives Nebraska its sixth Transfer Portal addition. He'll join Kapke, Sam Orme, and Kadynn Betts in the front court while Taj DeGourville and Trevan Leonhardt make up the Huskers' back court additions.
Nebraska does have one more open roster spot. It's not clear where Hoiberg might look to fill it with one more portal player, or is done shopping for the offseason.
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