JUST IN: No.1 Player In America Four-Star Center Leo Curtis Commits to Nebraska Basketball Over Washington, Texas, and Kansas for 2025 Class
In a move that has sent shockwaves across the college basketball landscape, four-star center Leo Curtis — the consensus No. 1 player in the country — has announced his commitment to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, choosing Fred Hoiberg’s program over traditional powerhouses like Kansas, Texas, and Washington. The announcement came earlier today via a live-streamed press conference from his high school gym in Chicago, Illinois, where Curtis stood beside his family and proudly donned a Nebraska cap, putting months of speculation to rest.
Curtis, a 6-foot-11 force of nature known for his explosive athleticism, shot-blocking prowess, and evolving offensive game, had been heavily recruited by some of the biggest programs in the nation. Kansas and Texas had long been seen as the frontrunners, given their national prestige and deep tournament resumes. Washington, too, made a strong late push, citing their growing development program and a system tailored for big men. Yet, it was Nebraska — a program traditionally viewed as a football-first school — that won the recruiting battle, signaling a potential turning point for Cornhuskers basketball.
“Coach Hoiberg made me feel like I was the centerpiece of something special,” Curtis said during his commitment speech. “They didn’t just talk about building a team — they showed me a vision of building a legacy. I want to be part of the class that turns Nebraska into a national basketball powerhouse.”
The commitment is a massive win for Nebraska, who have steadily climbed in recruiting relevance under Hoiberg’s leadership. Though not always considered a destination for elite talent, the Huskers have shown signs of serious growth, finishing the 2024 season with their first NCAA tournament berth in a decade and developing a reputation for nurturing under-the-radar talent. With Curtis now on board, Nebraska is projected to have one of the top recruiting classes in the nation for 2025.
“Leo is a game-changer, not just with his size, but with his work ethic and leadership,” Coach Hoiberg said in a statement. “He’s the kind of player that elevates everyone around him. This is a monumental day for Nebraska basketball.”
National analysts were quick to react to the commitment, calling it one of the most surprising and significant recruiting victories of the year. ESPN’s Jeff Borzello tweeted, “Leo Curtis choosing Nebraska over Kansas and Texas? That’s not just a commitment — that’s a statement. Hoiberg is building something real in Lincoln.”
With his combination of length, agility, and skill, Curtis is already being compared to some of the great collegiate big men of the past decade. Scouts highlight his ability to protect the rim, run the floor, and finish with authority — all while showing glimpses of a developing mid-range shot. Some even suggest he could be a one-and-done prospect if his game continues to evolve at the current pace.
As the Cornhuskers prepare for a potentially historic 2025 campaign, one thing is clear: with Leo Curtis in the lineup, Nebraska basketball just became must-watch TV.
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