Nebraska star Sandfort transfers from rival Iowa

Pryce Sandfort leaves Hawkeyes after two seasons to join Cornhuskers

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:56am

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Pryce Sandfort, a standout basketball player, has transferred from Iowa to Nebraska after two seasons with the Hawkeyes. Sandfort cited his longstanding relationship with Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg and the hostile environment of the Nebraska arena as key factors in his decision to join the Cornhuskers, a rival of his former team.

Why it matters

Sandfort's transfer from Iowa to Nebraska within the same conference is an example of the increasing trend of players freely transferring between rival programs in college sports. This raises questions about loyalty, competitive balance, and the impact of lax transfer rules on traditional rivalries.

The details

Sandfort, a junior winger, spent his first two collegiate seasons at Iowa, where he was a role player, starting just 8 of 65 games. After Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery was fired, Sandfort entered the transfer portal and chose to join Nebraska, where he knew he would have a chance to be a regular starter and contributor. Sandfort cited his longstanding relationship with Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg, as well as his fond memories of the hostile environment at Nebraska's arena, as key factors in his decision.

  • Sandfort played two seasons at Iowa from 2023-2025.
  • After the 2024-25 season, Sandfort entered the transfer portal.
  • Sandfort committed to Nebraska for the 2025-26 season.

The players

Pryce Sandfort

A junior winger who transferred from Iowa to Nebraska after two seasons with the Hawkeyes.

Fred Hoiberg

The head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who had previously recruited Sandfort and had a longstanding relationship with him.

Fran McCaffery

The former head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who was fired after Sandfort's sophomore season.

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What they’re saying

“My grandpa coached against Fred when he was playing ... and we grew up going to his camps ... so we always kind of knew each other and talked a little bit... and when I was in high school he recruited me really hard so that just made it easier when I was in portal.”

— Pryce Sandfort

“I know they didn't like us they don't like us at all ... so I went into that game — it was a really hostile environment. It was a really really cool environment ... and when I went into the portal I kept that in mind. So, remembering that arena and that environment was something I really wanted to play in and didn't get to play in much when I was at Iowa.”

— Pryce Sandfort

What’s next

Sandfort will look to make an immediate impact for Nebraska in the 2025-26 season, as he aims to lead the Cornhuskers to success in the Big Ten conference.

The takeaway

Sandfort's transfer from Iowa to Nebraska within the same conference highlights the increasing trend of players freely moving between rival programs, raising questions about loyalty, competitive balance, and the impact of lax transfer rules on traditional college sports rivalries.