An Omaha Bryan graduate is the best JUCO 3-point shooter — and he’s interested in Nebraska

The sweet-shooting Omaha Bryan graduate has a rigid routine. He’s coming off of a solid freshman year at Casper (Wyoming) College, where he averaged 19.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and shot 45.3% from 3. He wants to round out his game, fill out his slim 6-foot-7 frame and prove he’s more than a one-dimensional player. Meanwhile, his recruitment has ramped up via a handful of high-major offers, including one from Nebraska.

“I just want to show schools and colleges that I’m more than just a shooter because I feel like everybody knows I can shoot,” Bashir said. “But just show schools that I can facilitate, I can defend, I can rebound, anything they ask me on the court that I can do it.”

Growing up and at Bryan, Bashir’s primary responsibility was shooting 3-pointers. His frequent job was to stand on the perimeter, stretch the defense and bury open looks when he got them.

It wasn’t until getting to Casper that he had to become more of a creator.

Bashir led the junior college ranks in 3-pointers made but the Thunderbirds also looked to him when the shot clock wound down. He had to become efficient with the ball in his hands – to generate his own look and do it quickly if all else failed.

In his summer workouts, Bashir has prioritized one-on-one reps and contested shots, anything he can translate into creating his own shot during games. He also wants to become quicker and more athletic, opening up possibilities of what he can do with the ball in his hands.

“Shot clock in college is 30 seconds,” Bashir said, “so if you’re asked to create your own shot it’s probably around the 10-second mark if you haven’t had (any) good reversals or anything.”

Bashir could have gone to a four-year college out of Bryan, but there were too many question marks. He was still in contact with schools late into the summer before going to Casper, but most didn’t have a defined role for him right away.

Instead of stepping into uncertainty and a possible redshirt season, he opted for Casper, a junior college with few distractions, fertile for development.

After a successful season, Bashir has offers from Kansas State, Texas A&M and Arizona State, among other schools. Nebraska assistant coach Ernie Zeigler reached out in the spring, and Bashir, who said he grew up with a split fandom between Nebraska and Creighton, unofficially visited NU on Thursday.

After touring the campus and facilities, Bashir sat down with the coaching staff as Fred Hoiberg broke down film showing how he envisioned Bashir fitting in with the Huskers. Bashir watched clips of Keisei Tominaga and C.J. Wilcher curling around screens and coming off of pin-downs for open 3-pointers.

Bashir’s game is similar to those of players NU has targeted out of the transfer portal in recent years: a spot-up shooter with the height, athleticism and skill to become more. In turn, the Huskers’ up-tempo style and volume of shots from the perimeter suit Bashir as he navigates the recruiting process with a year left in Casper.

“Just a school that fits my play style,” he said. “Obviously I’m a shooter, so a school that prioritizes shooters, a school that gets up a lot of 3s, a school that plays very fast and yeah, a school that just is gonna prioritize me in the recruiting process and make me feel wanted.”