With Transfer Portal season opening in just five days, the Nebraska basketball program faces several roster holes to fill this offseason. Chief among those holes, the staff must replace Jamarques Lawrence at point guard. The good news: Oregon’s Jackson Shelstad announced his intention to transfer last week, which could make him the perfect replacement for the Huskers.
Shelstad was on his way to becoming one of the best guards in the Big Ten this season, but suffered a hand injury in December that limited him to 12 games. He averaged 15.6 points and 4.9 assists during the first two months of the season, including 20 points against UCLA and 21 against San Diego State at the Players Era Championship. He’ll also be one of the most sought-after point guards in the portal.
With Lawrence out of eligibility, Nebraska needs to find someone who can fill his role as the starting point guard. Shelstad fits that bill while also adding another legitimate scoring threat to a roster that could also be without Pryce Sandfort if he answers the NBA’s call.
BREAKING: Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad plans to enter the @TransferPortal, source told @On3. ⁰⁰The 6-1 junior is expected to be one of the top point guards to enter the portal. Represented by @MomentousSP.https://t.co/T80n9eJc7W pic.twitter.com/pz0f0NEV2v
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) March 24, 2026
Jackson Shelstad could be Nebraska basketball’s ideal replacement for Jamarques Lawrence
The 6-foot-1 guard earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in the 2024-25 season after averaging 13.7 points and shooting nearly 38% from 3-point range. He had 25 points in Oregon's season-ending NCAA tournament loss to Arizona after going for 17 in the Ducks' first-round win over Liberty.
Tournament experience as well as familiarity with the Big Ten make him someone Nebraska needs to at least kick the tires on. Reports that Fred Hoiberg’s budget has increased significantly over last offseason might even give the Huskers the dollars to compete with other big boys who will come calling.
The Transfer Portal officially opens on April 7, and Nebraska needs to move fast to fill its roster holes. Jackson Shelstad would perhaps be the biggest coup for Fred Hoiberg and the Huskers in this new era of college sports.