Andy Katz explains how potential NIL changes could bring Keisei Tominaga back to Nebraska

Keisei Tominaga has been a breakout star for Nebraska this season, averaging 12.8 points per game in his second season after transferring from junior college. He went through Senior Day prior to the last home game — but he might not be done in Lincoln, after all.

Big Ten Network reporter Andy Katz explained how Tominaga could come back to the Cornhuskers for one more year. He cited potential changes to NIL policy as a reason. The current policy states student visas don’t allow athletes to work while studying in the United States. However, athletes could look into an extraordinary ability visa, which Northwestern State guard Hansel Enmanuel received earlier this season, On3’s Andy Wittry reported.

Katz hinted there’s optimism that policy could change. As a result, Tominaga could opt for one last go-round with Nebraska thanks to the COVID-19 waiver.

“With Tominaga, the interesting thing is he went through Senior Day, but there’s a good chance he comes back,” Katz said on the Big Ten Network broadcast. “There’s an expectation that the NIL policy will change for foreign nationals to be able to make some money, and that could definitely influence the decision.

“I think both of you guys [announcers Brandon Gaudin and Robbie Hummel] would agree, there may not be any more popular student-athlete right now on that Nebraska campus than Keisei Tominaga. He would be an absolute rock star if he came back next season.”

Tominaga has become a fan favorite in Lincoln this season, known as the “Japanese Steph Curry” and wearing the No. 30 in Curry’s honor. That nickname came across Curry’s radar, and he gave Tominaga quite the shoutout via Twitter earlier this season.

“Love it, Keisei!” Curry tweeted.

In fact, Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg used that tweet as an example of how Tominaga has made a name for himself this season. If he ends up going pro, Hoiberg — who coached the Chicago Bulls — thinks Tominaga could flourish.

“I don’t think Steph Curry’s tweeted at very many people in college basketball this year,” he said. “So that’s very awesome when your idol sends a message out for the world to see. Your millions and millions of followers. You look at what the league is all about right now. Analytics, shooting, floor spacing. Those players are so good. There’s more room in the NBA. There’s more space. If you can shoot it at a high level, you’re gonna have a chance.”