Trueblood, Bradford Among Former Huskers to Play 3Ball Nebraska Showcase during Nebraska/Ohio State Game Thursday

Thursday night will be a return for some to Pinnacle Bank Arena, but others will have a different sort of return when they play at halftime of the Nebraska and Ohio State men’s basketball game.

“I’m all about the Bob Devaney (Sports Center),” said Steffon Bradford, who played two seasons for the Huskers where he earned All-Big 12 Honorable-Mention honors in 2000 and 2001. “I actually practiced with the team when Doc (Sadler) was there. (Pinnacle Bank Arena) is very impressive.

“I still like Bob Devaney better.”

Bradford just wrapped up a 20-year professional career that included stops in Korea, Portugal, Poland, France, Israel, and even the now defunct United States Basketball League. For someone with a wide array of playing experience, playing 3×3 was something he had done, but playing for 3Ball Nebraska didn’t initially catch his fancy. That is, until the CEO of 3Ball USA and the Nebraska team Michael Wranovics showed him the game.

“It’s physical. It’s fast. You gotta be multi-talented,” said Bradford. “The gruesome play of the sport drew me to it.”

Bradford will play in front of a live crowd at halftime Thursday with teammates that have experience in the venue. Johnny Trueblood was on the team last season.

“It’s fun playing in front of our fans,” said Trueblood. “To even perform for the six minutes at halftime, I’m looking forward to it.”

Trueblood played three seasons for Nebraska, and is now reunited with teammate Tanner Borchardt. Trueblood says despite the lack of outside game a certain teammate has displayed in the past, everyone will need to do it all, just as Bradford says.

“Husker fans can prepare for Tanner Borchardt to shoot some threes tonight so that will be fun to see,” joked Trueblood.

Trueblood currently helps the Huskers with film while he prepares for a graduate assistant position. Nebraska will have a position open next season, but Trueblood is looking forward to any opportunities with the relationships he’s formed between coach Fred Hoiberg and previous Nebraska coach Tim Miles.

Joining Borchardt, Bradford, and Trueblood on 3Ball Lincoln is Nebraska Wesleyan All-American Ryan Garver, who averaged 26.3 points a game over his career, including 31.8 and 32.8 in his final two seasons.

They’ll be playing 3Ball Omaha made up of Deverell Biggs (Nebraska ’14), Trey Lansman (Nebraska-Kearney ’19), Klaye Rowe (Bellevue ’08), and James Parrott (Midland ’13).

With all the Nebraskans being represented, it is the oldest one that is taking this game most to heart.

“I’ve been 20 years professionally at the highest level,” said Bradford. “It’s gonna be good to be in front of old Husker fans that know who I am and also young Husker fans that heard the name but never had the experience of watching me play.

“I think that’s gonna be one of the coolest moments, to see how they respond to that.”

The 3Ball National Cup will take place at Pinnacle Bank Arena in August, just weeks after the newest Olympic sport, FIBA 3×3 basketball, debuts in Tokyo.