The new faces
Nebraska is bringing in three new faces to the program, including South Dakota transfer and Nebraska native Maddie Krull, and a couple true freshmen in guard Callin Hake and center Maggie Mendelson.
Krull, who starred at Millard South High School in Omaha, started all 60 games in her two-year career at South Dakota and played all 40 minutes against Ole Miss in the Coyotes’ first-round NCAA Tournament game earlier this year. As a sophomore this past season, she averaged 6.8 points, four rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals.
Though Krull’s scoring and shooting numbers (27% from 3 is two seasons) aren’t going to wow anyone, she’s a tough player who will love suiting up for her home-state team. She has a chance to be a great glue player who fits into the culture that Williams has built.
“She is a winner who loves to compete,” Williams said in a statement. “Every team she has has ever been a part of has been a winning team, and she carried that over into two very successful seasons to start her college career.”
Hake, who’s from Victoria, Minnesota, surpassed the 2,000-point and 500-rebound milestones in her career at Chanhassen High School. As a senior, the 5-8 guard averaged 22.2 points per game and finished her career as Chanhassen’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder.
“She is going to be a versatile guard that can bring a lot of things to our team on the basketball court,” Williams said of Hake. “I love that she is committed to playing hard on both ends of the court. Not only is Callin the perfect fit for us on the court, but she fits our family. She is not afraid to work and understands how to be a great teammate.”
Mendelson is a unique prospect. Before the 6-foot-5 athlete competes for the basketball team, she’ll be playing volleyball for head coach John Cook. Since 2000, four student-athletes — Greichaly Cepero, Laura Pilakowski, Alicia Ostrander and Allie Havers — have been on the rosters for both volleyball and basketball at Nebraska. Mendelson is next.
Mendelson graduated a year early from Fremont High School in North Ogden, Utah, where she was ranked as the No. 32 basketball recruit in the country.
“As a basketball player, Maggie runs the floor well and has excellent quickness,” Williams said. “She obviously has great timing, which allows her to be a shot-blocker on both the basketball and volleyball courts. She also has the ability to use her size to score with her back to the basketball, and she can stretch the floor by hitting the three-point shot.”