Ouedraogo drops weight, makes gains on the court

The sophomore forward played against the likes of Iowa's Luka Garza and Michigan State's Xavier Tillman. Ouedraogo knew he needed a change to compete against those players.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Yvan Ouedraogo was a 17-year-old French teenager playing against grown men last season. Literally.

The sophomore forward played against the likes of Iowa’s Luka Garza and Michigan State’s Xavier Tillman. Ouedraogo knew he needed a change to compete against those players.

“I realized that if I want to be great like them, I’ve got to sacrifice something,” Ouedraogo said during a Zoom press conference on Tuesday.

The France native has dropped 25 pounds while adding more strength and athleticism this offseason. He’s even impressed his head coach, Fred Hoiberg.

“Yvan has been phenomenal,” Hoiberg said.

Ouedraogo’s new conditioning appears to have him poised for a starting role this season for Nebraska. He started in 30 of the Huskers 32 games last season, averaging 5.7 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. However, he really came on late in the season, including a 19-rebound double double in a game against Northwestern last March.

“He just keeps progressing,” Hoiberg said.