Hoiberg Named Finalist for Nolan Richardson Award

Nebraska senior guard Sam Hoiberg was named one of 25 finalists for the 2026 Nolan Richardson Award. The award is presented annually to a division I player who is the heart and soul of his team and a leader on and off the court.

Hoiberg has been instrumental in the Huskers enjoying one of the best seasons in school history, as Nebraska enters the Big Ten Tournament with a 26-5 record, including a 15-5 Big Ten mark.

Hoiberg has started all 31 games, averaging 9.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He ranks third nationally and leads all power conference players in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.22-to-1) and is in the top-10 in the Big Ten in both steals (first) and assists (ninth). He has 17 double-figure games while his 66 steals are the most by a Husker since the 2000-01 season.  Earlier this week, he earned All-Big Ten honors and was named to the Big Ten’s all-defensive team.  For his career, Hoiberg has helped Nebraska to three

straight 20-win seasons and ranks eighth in school charts for career steals. 

The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis, Ind., site of the men’s Division I Basketball Championship. This is the third year of the award, with the previous winners were Texas A&M’s Henry Coleman III (2025); Houston’s Jamal Shead (2004).