By all accounts, Braden Frager has had a better season than Nebraska basketball could have hoped. That's why his early exit from the Huskers' game against Washington rightfully has fans a bit worried.
Frager played only four minutes on Wednesday night before he came out of the game and didn't return in the first half. The reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week's status was not immediately made known. Still, Big Ten Network's Andy Katz reported it was a lower leg injury.
The analyst added that Nebraska told him that Frager was officially questionable to return. On3's Steve Marik then seemed to pinpoint when Frager suffered his injury and posited the problem is a left ankle injury.
Looks like a left ankle for Braden Frager. pic.twitter.com/hleFNqzkT9
— Steve Marik (@Steve_Marik) January 22, 2026
Nebraska basketball loses Braden Frager early in the first half
The issue seemed to happen when Frager was driving to the hoop for his first points of the game after a Washington turnover. The freshman phenom landed a bit awkwardly. That he didn't crumple to the ground in this kind of situation has to be considered a good thing in the long run.
With Nebraska leading Washington 41-28 at the half and the Huskers looking like they're starting to take charge even without Frager, his absence on Wednesday night may not be a big deal.
Where his being out for any prolonged period of time could most affect the Nebraska basketball team is next week when they take on the Michigan Wolverines. However, NU would like to get him back and healthy when they take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Hopefully, Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg will have relatively good news about Braden Frager after the Washington game.