Nebraska vs. Rutgers football. Homecoming 2017. September 23, 2017. Photo by Craig Chandler / University Communication.
Nebraska football stuns Sioux City East basketball star Manasse Kasongo-Malu with scholarship offer
An Omaha basketball target made his way to Nebraska’s football practice Thursday and came away with something he didn’t expect: a Division I scholarship offer.
It’s the first one for 2025 Sioux City (Iowa) East defensive end Manasse Kasongo-Malu. Based on the calls he was already getting on Friday from Kansas State, Iowa State and Cincinnati, it’s not likely to be last.
“I’m not gonna lie, I had no idea it was coming,” Kasongo-Malu said of his surprise offer Thursday. The Huskers already have one Sioux City East alum — walk-on quarterback Luke Longval — and appear ready to move on landing Kasongo-Malu, whose primary love, even this week, has been basketball.
Pinned to the top of Kasongo-Malu’s X profile are junior year highlights at East, a 4A power in Iowa high school basketball that finished 21-3 last season.
The 6-foot-7, 230-pounder averaged 11 points and nine rebounds, shooting 63% from the floor. Schools like Southern Utah are involved there, as was Omaha, which invited him down to a camp last year.
