Nebraska men's basketball coach Tim Miles confirmed Tuesday that sophomore center Jake Hammond is transferring.
The 6-foot-10, 230-pound Hammond, from Comanche, Oklahoma, has a redshirt season available, and then two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Hammond had an up-and-down sophomore season after seeing very little playing time in 2014-15 as a true freshman.
Hammond started the season's first eight games this season but then became one of Nebraska's primary backups in the frontcourt and averaged 2.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 29 games. He was third on the team in blocked shots and offensive rebounds while playing 10.7 minutes per game.
“I support Jacob and his decision to transfer,” Miles said in release. “These decisions are never easy for a young man, his family or the coaches. I appreciate Jake’s hard work for the Huskers during his time here. He will be granted a full release, and we wish Jacob the best in his future endeavors.”
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Hammond had five rebounds, including three offensive, in nine minutes against Rutgers in the Big Ten Tournament opener but didn't play in Nebraska's next game, against Wisconsin, and logged only 3 minutes in a season-ending loss to Maryland.
Hammond's departure means Nebraska has two vacant scholarships for the 2016-17 season, both of which will be targeted for big men.
One of those spots will assuredly be for an immediately eligible transfer who can help a team whose tallest player is now 6-8 sophomore-to-be Michael Jacobson, a natural forward who played center as a true freshman.
Hammond signed with Nebraska after originally committing to Oklahoma. He'd played for four different programs in four years of high school, including his senior season at Class 3A Comanche, Oklahoma. Hammond, in a release, cited a desire to play closer to home.
A three-star recruit according to most recruiting services, Hammond was ranked as high as the No. 115 player in the country, according to Hoop Scoop, and the No. 2 prep player in Oklahoma by two recruiting services.
Miles also announced Wednesday that walk-ons Tanner Borchardt and Johnny Trueblood will not return to the team in 2016-17. Borchardt joined the team following an October tryout and Trueblood was a preferred walk-on.