Rising Nebraska basketball leader, leads the charge for electric portal prize

With the transfer portal officially opened, the Nebraska basketball team is officially going after some of its top targets. However, the pursuit of one of those targets isn’t being led by the coaching staff, rather it’s a former newcomer who appears destined to become a team leader.

Connor Essegian has pinpointed PFW point guard transfer Jalen Jackson since talk first surfaced that he would enter the portal. That makes sense since the two have been friends since they were tots. The question now becomes whether that friendship might be able to override other factors such as more NIL money or the chance to play for a program that is a legit national title contender.

According to multiple reports, the Nebraska basketball team is officially in the hunt for Jackson. The problem is that they are far from the only team that’s coming calling already. Michigan, Butler, TCU, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Missouri, LSU, Virginia are interested as well.

Nebraska basketball’s recruitment of Jalen Jackson led by old friend Connor Essegian

For those not aware, that means his list has four teams that made the NCAA Tournament this year. Two are still playing.

That’s not a surprise considering Jackson followed up a season where he averaged 15 points per game and hit 40% of his three-point shots, with this season where he averaged 19.2 points while hauling down 4.4 rebounds and dishing out 3.1 assists.

It does appear that Essegian taking the lead in his recruiting will play at least some part. He told On3 he is very, very close with the Husker guard. 

Known him my whole life. That’s my brother. He is like family to me.

Here’s hoping that connection can be the x-factor when it comes to Nebraska basketball landing one of the best guards in the portal.