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Nebraska Basketball Freshman Leo Curtis Dominates, Leads Iceland to FIBA U20 Win

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Nebraska Basketball Freshman Leo Curtis Dominates, Leads Iceland to FIBA U20 Win


Nebraska basketball’s freshman phenom continues to shine while competing overseas.

Leo Curtis, the 7-foot-1, 220-pound forward from Iceland, dominated in international competition again on Monday. Following a 17 point, nine rebound, five assist, and three steal performance in the 90-76 loss to Serbia on Saturday, the Husker freshman responded with a double-double performance in a win over Slovenia. Iceland would sneak past Slovenia 76-74 as Curtis finished shooting 6-11 from the field and 8-10 at the free throw line with 20 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks, four assists, and one steal.

The future Husker is competing in the FIBA U20 EuroBasket tournament throughout the weekend. He is representing Iceland for the third straight summer, having previously played in the 2024 U20 EuroBasket and the 2023 U18 EuroBasket events. The 2025 tournament is taking place in Greece.

Curtis is now averaging a double-double in pool play, going for 18.5 points, 10 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals per contest after two games. He is on pace to crush his past EuroBasket performances, in which he averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 2024 at the U20 games after a standout 2023 tournament as part of the U18 competition, averaging 8.6 points and 7.0 rebounds two years ago.

The forward from Reykjavik, Iceland, spent his senior season at Cambrigde Arts, Technology and Science (CATS) Academy in Massachusetts. Curtis earned national prep All-America honorable-mention honors, averaging 12.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game in his lone season in the United States.

“Leo’s combination of size and skill set is an ideal fit for our system” Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg said after Curtis’ signing with the Huskers in May. “He is a natural stretch forward who can initiate offense and put pressure on the rim.  At 7-foot-1, he can impact both ends of the floor. He played for one of the best prep teams in the country this past season, and that will help him in his adjustment to the college game. He is a natural athlete who played soccer before turning his attention to basketball. He is just scratching the surface of his potential, and I believe his best days are ahead of him.”

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Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg watches during the first half of the NCAA men's basketball game against the Ohio

Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg watches during the first half of the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena in Columbus on March 4, 2025. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Curtis and his Iceland teammates will aim to compete throughout the competition through July 20 as pool play continues for the first half of the tournament. Iceland remains with its remaining contest in Pool D play, facing France later this week. The top two teams in each pool advancing to the Round of 16 starting on July 16 and the championship game on July 20. Contests can be viewed on the FIBA YouTube channel.

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.





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FAFSA participation increases among Nebraska high school seniors

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FAFSA participation increases among Nebraska high school seniors


New data shows Nebraska high school seniors are completing the FAFSA at higher rates following a new state requirement. Education leaders say the increase could help more students access financial aid and plan for life after graduation.



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Nebraska Court of Appeals upholds conviction of Grand Island man in sexual assault case

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Nebraska Court of Appeals upholds conviction of Grand Island man in sexual assault case


The Nebraska Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction and sentencing of a Grand Island man charged with sexually assaulting a minor.

Cory Gilmore was sentenced in June to 36 to 48 years in prison on two counts of first-degree sexual assault. Court records said he was initially charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child, first-degree sexual assault and third-degree sexual assault of a child, but pleaded no contest to the two sexual assault counts as part of a plea deal.

According to an arrest affidavit, a report of a possible sexual assault came into the child abuse hotline that Gilmore sexually assaulted a minor girl when he was intoxicated.

A Grand Island police officer later interviewed the girl – who is younger than 19 years old – who said she was sexually assaulted by Gilmore from early 2021 to December 2023.

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In his appeal, Gilmore claimed the District Court abused its discretion by imposing an excessive sentence. He also claimed his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to take the deposition of the alleged victim and failing to move to withdraw Gilmore’s plea before sentencing.

In its ruling, the Court of Appeals denied Gilmore’s claim of ineffective trial counsel. In his appeal, Gilmore said that at sentencing, he notified his counsel that he wished to withdraw his no-contest plea as he didn’t want to plead guilty or to say he did something he didn’t do.

The Court of Appeals said that at no point did Gilmore inform the District Court that he wished to withdraw his plea and that the District Court asked him if he made his plea “knowingly and voluntarily.”

The Court of Appeals also said in its order that at Gilmore’s sentencing hearing, the District Court looked at Gilmore’s risk to reoffend, his criminal history and the fact that he “showed no remorse for the trauma he has inflicted” in imposing its sentencing. The Court of Appeals said this was appropriate and that his sentencing was not excessive.



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Nebraska collects $200k in child support from gambling winnings

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Nebraska collects 0k in child support from gambling winnings


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has collected more than $200,000 from gambling winnings to go toward child support arrears just three months after implementing the program.

The Gambling Winnings Setoff for Outstanding Debt Act was approved through the passage of Legislative Bill 1317 and signed by Gov. Jim Pillen in 2024.

“This program ensures funds are being used to help support kids across Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “Parents have an obligation to their children, and we’re guaranteeing their well-being by collecting these winnings.”

The collections began Sept. 2, 2025. The act requires gaming operators to withhold a portion of winnings from individuals who have an unpaid debt with the state and remit the funds to the Department of Revenue.

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From there, the collected funds are distributed to various agencies, including DOR, Department of Labor, Department of Motor Vehicles, and DHHS.

Within the first 13 weeks, $529,091.47 was dispersed to these agencies, with DHHS receiving $215,852.98 for the Child Support Enforcement Program.

“By administering these dollars directly to families, the Child Support Enforcement Program is setting our state’s children up for success,” said Shannon Grotrian, director of the Office of Economic Assistance. “It’s making an immediate impact on their livelihoods and making sure they have what they need to grow and thrive.”

For more information on Nebraska’s Child Support Program, visit the DHHS website.

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