Former Nebraska forward Berke Buyuktuncel has committed to Vanderbilt via the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3’s Pete Nakos. The 6-foot-10 Turkish national team veteran has one season of eligibility remaining and brings two seasons of Big Ten experience to Nashville.
Buyuktuncel started all 33 games he played for the Cornhuskers this past season, averaging 6.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 24.3 minutes per contest. He shot 46.8 percent from the field and 24.1 percent from three-point range. Defensively, he led Nebraska with a career-best 34 blocks and 29 steals, including a program-record fourth triple-double against North Dakota with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
His collegiate journey began at UCLA, where he appeared in 26 games as a freshman, averaging 4.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game. After transferring to Nebraska ahead of the 2024-25 season, he made 28 starts in 31 appearances during his sophomore campaign, posting 6.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Internationally, Buyuktuncel made his Turkish senior national team debut at 18 and was named to the FIBA U19 World Cup All-Star Five in 2023. Most recently, he averaged 12.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game for Turkey at the 2024 FIBA European U20 Championships.
Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington praised his team’s resilience after their Round of 32 loss to Nebraska, saying the squad “cared about each other” and “did not want it to end.” The Commodores finished 27-9 overall and 11-7 in SEC play, defeating McNeese State in the NCAA Tournament opener before falling to the Cornhuskers.
Buyuktuncel is the first transfer commitment for Vanderbilt this offseason, although the program has lost five players to the portal. The NCAA Transfer Portal opened April 7 and closes April 21 under a new 15-day window approved by the men’s basketball oversight committee.
What does Buyuktuncel bring to Vanderbilt’s lineup?
He provides veteran frontcourt presence with proven defensive versatility, having led Nebraska in blocks and steals while capable of stretching the floor at 46.8 percent shooting from the field. His experience in high-pressure games, including a triple-double and strong showings in the NCAA Tournament, adds immediate depth to a roster seeking continuity after tournament success.
How does this move fit Vanderbilt’s current roster situation?
Vanderbilt enters the offseason having lost five players to the transfer portal but retains core contributors from a 27-9 team that won an NCAA Tournament game. Buyuktuncel’s arrival addresses frontcourt needs without disrupting the program’s recent culture of accountability and toughness emphasized by Coach Byington.
What are the implications for Buyuktuncel’s eligibility and role?
With one season of eligibility remaining, he is expected to play a significant role in Vanderbilt’s rotation, potentially starting or serving as a key reserve depending on how Coach Byington integrates him into the existing frontcourt structure. His international experience and maturity suggest readiness for an immediate impact role.
