After four years and 99 collegiate games not representing his home state of Nebraska, Sam Griesel is heading home. 

Sunday, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound guard who grew up in Lincoln, announced his transfer to the Huskers. 

“I honestly think it is an opportunity that I think I can’t pass up,” Griesel said of his decision. “It’s a surreal feeling being a Lincoln kid and being a part of Nebraska basketball.”

A former Lincoln East standout, Griesel — a two-time all-conference player in the Summit League at North Dakota State — has one year of eligibility left, a graduate transfer season. 

“When I was young I thought the (Nebraska) players were superheroes going to camps and just watching the players,” Griesel said. “With their facilities and being a Lincoln kid I think it is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up to change the narrative and culture around Nebraska basketball.

“And, to make an impact in the community.” 

Griesel should be an instant fan favorite in Lincoln. He averaged 14.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists in a first-team All-Summit season this year. His work in the Fargo community with the Landon’s Light Foundation has been well documented. 

Griesel entered his name in the transfer portal on Tuesday. His experience, versatility and size as a point guard is something that was intriguing to college programs.

His phone quickly rang with schools from across the country wanting to speak with him about what they can offer. Virginia, Ohio State, Penn State, Clemson, Loyola-Chicago, Colorado State, Northwestern, Minnesota and Creighton among others contacted him last week. 

Nebraska worked quickly to get Griesel on campus. He unofficially visited the NU practice facility on Wednesday to meet with NU head coach Fred Hoiberg and assistants Nate Loenser and Armon Gates. A Saturday night dinner at Hoiberg’s house sealed the commitment for NU. 

Hoiberg and the NU staff were familiar with Griesel before he entered the portal. In the 2020 Golden Window Classic at Pinnacle Bank Arena, NU defeated NDSU 79-57. Griesel scored nine points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the loss, drawing praise from the NU coach calling him “a big, strong 6-6 point guard that’s different for our guys” to defend.

Dreams to Reality… There’s no place like home. Let’s Rock Husker Nation! ??⚪️#GBR #committed pic.twitter.com/FS8JY2v0XB

— Sam Griesel (@SammyG_22) March 20, 2022