Former Creighton Prep standout Akol Arop will join the Omaha men's basketball program in 2021-22 after spending two seasons at Nebraska.
Omaha Adds Nebraska Transfer Arop
May 6, 2021 | Men's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. -- Head coach Derrin Hansen announced Thursday the addition of former Creighton Prep standout and Nebraska transfer Akol Arop for the 2021-22 season.
A 6-5, 203-pound forward, Arop began his collegiate career with two seasons as a Husker (2019-21). The rising sophomore redshirted in 2020-21 after a surgical procedure and appeared in 21 contests off the bench as a true freshman in 2019-20. He played in at least 20 minutes of NU's final three games that year, including the Big Ten Tournament.
Arop's prep career saw him tabbed the top senior prospect in the state of Nebraska in 2019, and he was a three-time all-state selection under coach Josh Luedtke at Creighton Prep. A teammate of current Maverick guard Kyle Luedtke, Arop finished his Junior Jay career with 1,268 points, 733 rebounds and 162 blocked shots, three state tournament appearances and a state championship in 2018.
Arop earned the 2019 Gatorade Nebraska Player of the Year award after averaging 19.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game as a senior with 19 double-doubles. He was a three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports.
Arop played AAU ball for the Omaha Sports Academy, averaging 12.4 points per game.
"We're excited about the signing of Omaha product Akol Arop after his outstanding high school career at Creighton Prep and two years at Nebraska," Hansen said. "Akol will bring us length, athleticism and the ability to score in the open floor as we place an increased emphasis on scoring in transition. He is a versatile wing/forward, and that will allow him to play multiple positions, which gives us flexibility on how we want to play."
Arop joins Bellevue West product Frankie Fidler, Omaha Central product and Wichita State transfer Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler and former Sweden National Team member and Salt Lake City CC transfer Felix Lemetti to make up the Mavericks' class of newcomers for 2021-22.
A 6-5, 203-pound forward, Arop began his collegiate career with two seasons as a Husker (2019-21). The rising sophomore redshirted in 2020-21 after a surgical procedure and appeared in 21 contests off the bench as a true freshman in 2019-20. He played in at least 20 minutes of NU's final three games that year, including the Big Ten Tournament.
Arop's prep career saw him tabbed the top senior prospect in the state of Nebraska in 2019, and he was a three-time all-state selection under coach Josh Luedtke at Creighton Prep. A teammate of current Maverick guard Kyle Luedtke, Arop finished his Junior Jay career with 1,268 points, 733 rebounds and 162 blocked shots, three state tournament appearances and a state championship in 2018.
Arop earned the 2019 Gatorade Nebraska Player of the Year award after averaging 19.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game as a senior with 19 double-doubles. He was a three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports.
Arop played AAU ball for the Omaha Sports Academy, averaging 12.4 points per game.
"We're excited about the signing of Omaha product Akol Arop after his outstanding high school career at Creighton Prep and two years at Nebraska," Hansen said. "Akol will bring us length, athleticism and the ability to score in the open floor as we place an increased emphasis on scoring in transition. He is a versatile wing/forward, and that will allow him to play multiple positions, which gives us flexibility on how we want to play."
Arop joins Bellevue West product Frankie Fidler, Omaha Central product and Wichita State transfer Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler and former Sweden National Team member and Salt Lake City CC transfer Felix Lemetti to make up the Mavericks' class of newcomers for 2021-22.
Players Mentioned
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