Former Nebraska player Berke Buyuktuncel has decided to transfer to Vanderbilt, according to reports from On3’s Pete Nakos. He still has one season of eligibility left.
Last year, he played all 33 games for Nebraska, averaging 6.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in about 24 minutes per game. Standing at 6-foot-10, he had a solid shooting record, hitting 46.8% from the field and 24.1% from three-point range.
Before joining Nebraska, Buyuktuncel spent a year at UCLA, where he averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.3 minutes. Originally from Turkey, he made a splash in international basketball at just 18, debuting for the Turkish senior national team. He was also named to the “All-Star Five” at the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2023.
Buyuktuncel marks the first transfer to Vanderbilt this offseason, while the Commodores have seen five players leave through the portal. Vanderbilt enjoyed a successful season with a 27-9 overall record and 11-7 in conference play. They advanced to the NCAA Tournament, defeating McNeese State in the first round before falling to Nebraska in the Round of 32.
Vanderbilt’s head coach, Mark Byington, spoke about the team’s journey. “This team is going to be remembered for a long time in Nashville. They may not have been top names in the portal, but they were the right guys for us,” he said. “They genuinely care for one another and for winning. It’s tough for them to see the season end.”
The NCAA Transfer Portal opened on April 7 and will close on April 21. This year, the time frame was adjusted based on recommendations from the men’s basketball oversight committee, giving players a bit more flexibility.
For more updates on player movements, you can follow On3’s Transfer Portal wire and their social media accounts for the latest information.
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Berke Buyuktuncel (23 – Turkey)
