​Two Nebraska basketball players were recognized by the Big Ten Conference on Thursday as part of the 2025-26 Outstanding Sportsmanship selections. Rienk Mast and Callin Hake were named Nebraska’s Outstanding Sportsmanship winners, marking a dual honor for the Cornhuskers in this year’s conference awards.
Across all Big Ten varsity programs, 36 student-athletes were named recipients of the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award for the 2025-26 season. Each member school nominates one representative from its varsity teams, and the conference selects two winners per institution. The recognition highlights not only athletic performance but also commendable conduct, leadership, and sportsmanship demonstrated throughout the season.
Rienk Mast, a key contributor for Nebraska, posted averages of 13.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game during the 2025-26 campaign. His contributions helped propel the Cornhuskers to the program’s first-ever Sweet 16 appearance, a milestone that underscored both his on-court impact and his leadership within the team. Mast has continued to gain experience in the professional ranks by participating in the NBA Summer League with the Indiana Pacers, showcasing his development and readiness to compete at higher levels of basketball.
Callin Hake delivered solid all-around performance in her junior season, averaging 7.2 points, 3.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. She also distinguished herself by drawing a single-season school-record 33 charges, illustrating her tenacity on defense and willingness to sacrifice personal statistics for the sake of team success. Hake’s achievement marks a historic moment for Nebraska women’s basketball, as she became the first Husker to earn the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award twice across all sports, having previously received the honor in the 2024-25 season. Her consecutive recognition reflects a sustained commitment to competitive integrity, leadership, and teamwork.
The 2025-26 Outstanding Sportsmanship selections by the Big Ten showcase players who excel not only in scoring, defense, and playmaking but also in character, perseverance, and leadership. Mast’s leadership and the team’s breakthrough to the Sweet 16 complement Hake’s defensive tenacity and her record-setting charges, painting a portrait of two Huskers who embody the conference’s values of fair play and exemplary conduct on and off the court.
For ongoing Nebraska news, notes, and opinions, followers can connect with Cornhuskers Wire on social media. The account provides updates, analysis, and coverage related to Nebraska athletics, including decisions, achievements, and season highlights involving players like Mast and Hake. This information originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire, highlighting Nebraska’s recognition by the Big Ten Conference on Thursday as part of better SEO and accessibility for fans seeking comprehensive coverage of the program’s developments.