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Here’s What Nebraska is Getting in Top-Rated Transfer Ugnius Jarusevicius

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Here’s What Nebraska is Getting in Top-Rated Transfer Ugnius Jarusevicius


Nebraska basketball continues to build a formidable roster through the transfer portal, and the latest addition, Ugnius Jarusevicius, is a compelling pickup who could have a major impact in Lincoln.

A 6-foot-10, 220-pound senior forward from Lithuania, Jarusevicius arrives from Central Michigan after a breakout junior season that earned him first-team All-MAC honors. He averaged 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 53.7% from the floor.

Those numbers alone make it clear that Nebraska is getting a polished, productive frontcourt presence.

What makes Jarusevicius such an intriguing fit for the Huskers is not just his scoring ability, but the versatility and experience he brings.

His college journey began at Cal State Bakersfield, where he appeared in 43 games over two seasons and earned All-Tournament honors at the SoCal Challenge. He later took a big leap at Central Michigan, not only boosting his stats but becoming a focal point of the offense.

His development trajectory is exactly what coaches look for in a transfer—someone who has steadily improved, adjusted to higher levels of competition and is ready to make an immediate contribution.

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Jarusevicius’ size and feel for the game give Nebraska a frontcourt player who can operate efficiently in the paint but also stretch the floor. While his 31% shooting from three last season shows he’s not quite a knockdown threat from deep, he’s capable enough to keep defenses honest.

His post scoring, soft touch around the rim, and high field goal percentage show he is a player who knows how to find good looks and finish consistently.

Marquette forward Royce Parham (13) guards Central Michigan forward Ugnius Jarusevicius (21) during the first half of their g

Central Michigan forward Ugnius Jarusevicius (21) looks to pass the ball during a game last November against Marquette. / Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Defensively, his rebounding presence stands out. With nearly 300 career boards, Jarusevicius provides a needed physical presence on the glass, an area where Nebraska has sometimes lacked consistency. While not known as a dominant shot blocker, his size and mobility should allow him to hold his own against Big Ten frontcourts.

His international experience also adds value that goes beyond the box score. Jarusevicius played in multiple FIBA youth events with the Lithuanian National Team, including a runner-up finish at the Under-20 European Championship in 2022. That type of high-level competition should serve him well as he transitions to the Big Ten.

Nebraska’s recent portal activity shows a clear effort to inject scoring and maturity into its frontcourt, and Jarusevicius fits that mold perfectly. His blend of size, skill and experience makes him a plug-and-play option who can contribute from day one.

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As the Huskers continue to retool their roster, the addition of Jarusevicius could prove to be one of the most important moves of the offseason.

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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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection

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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection


LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.

On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.

Arwinderjit Singh mugshot(Dawson County Jail)

During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.

After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.

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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds...
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.(Nebraska State Patrol)

Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.

Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

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“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

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“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

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Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

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Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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