Former UNK star joins UNL basketball

Drake Beranek always dreamed of playing for Nebraska.

After establishing himself as one of the best players in Division II basketball, he's ready to make that dream come true.

The UNK star has decided to transfer for a chance to walk on with the Cornhuskers.

"It's been in the back of my mind since I started having success at Kearney," he said. "This summer, I looked at my career and what I want to accomplish. I felt that I wanted a new challenge, and I think I'll get that challenge and more at Lincoln."

The 6-foot-4 forward will enroll at UNL this month and must sit out the upcoming season. He'll have one year of eligibility left for the 2010-2011 season.

As a junior, Beranek led the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in scoring at 21.9 points per game, good for 11th-best in Division II.

Beranek had 11 games with 30 or more points in his career and put up 40 points in a game against New Mexico Highlands last season.

He averaged 17.9 points per game in his career and could have become the fifth Loper in school history to reach 2,000 points in his career.

"I've always been a team guy," he said. "I'm giving up some record opportunities just to play D-I, but I'm prepared to come off the bench or just be that crazy guy at the end of the bench, if that's what it takes."

UNK went 11-15 last year after going 24-7 and 16-13 in Beranek's first two seasons. He admitted the direction of the program was a factor in his decision.

"That didn't have as much an impact as the fact I wanted something new," he said. "If I'm not playing at the highest level I can play at, I feel like I'm letting myself down."

Although by walking on at NU he's passing up on his scholarship at UNK, Beranek said his parents support his decision. His father, Paul, coaches high school basketball at C-2 Ravenna.

"If you live every day by money, you'll have a lot of problems," he said. "My family is behind me on the move."

Beranek will have to change majors in order to enroll, because UNL doesn't offer middle school math and science as a major.

It's a small price to pay for the opportunity to play for NU, Beranek said.

"I'll have to be a communications major, but that's all right," he said. "I'll still go back and get my education degree; it's not like I'm giving up on my occupation."

Beranek would likely play the wing for NU and said he likes how players operation in coach Doc Sadler's system.

"He's an intense guy, and they like to play hard and the right way," Beranek said. "They spread the floor and get the backdoors going, which is something I love to do, and I like that they play hard-nosed defense."

The transition to Big 12 basketball won't be easy, and Beranek admits his work in the weight room during his year off will be vital for his chances of playing as a senior.

"It'll be tough to adjust to the speed and athletic ability, but I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to get better," he said. "I'm just going for that dream, and we'll see what happens."

-Compiled by Max Olson