Fred Hoiberg makes case for Keisei Tominaga as an NBA prospect

Nebraska guard Keisei Tominaga has his sights set on an eventual NBA career, and Cornhuskers coach Fred Hoiberg believes it is well within reach. A native of Japan, Tominaga earned the nickname “The Japanese Steph Curry” thanks to his sharpshooting ability.

He has caught the attention of the nation in his second season in Lincoln while averaging 12.6 points on 40.1% from 3-point range. That includes Curry, who responded on Twitter to a feature story on Tominaga with words of encouragement.

Following a 78-67 victory against Minnesota on Saturday, Hoiberg cited the endorsement from Curry following a question about Tominaga’s NBA potential.

“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.”

Despite his father, former Japanese basketball player Hirokyuki Tominaga, standing 6-foot-11, Keisei Tominaga is just 6-foot-2. That could be an issue for Keisei Tominaga in the NBA as he typically plays off the ball.

Hoiberg noted that some players have still made it in the league at that size, but also argued that Tominaga is much more than a 3-point specialist. The guard has now scored double digits in seven consecutive games, including pouring in 20 against against Maryland despite making just two 3-pointers.

“The biggest challenge for Keisei is the size,” he said. “That’s something where some guys have made it if they’re specialists. We’ve talked a lot about this. Keisei is more than just a shooter. You see his cutting and his IQ and the way he competes. So I think strength and body, those are things that he’ll have to continue to work on. But from a straight shooter, the stretch that he’s on now, I think this is six in a row in double figures, and he just continues to get better every time he steps on the floor. Never count out a competitor. Never count out a guy that can make shots. That’s what Keisei can do.”

But while on the other side of the ball, Hoiberg said he has seen massive improvement in Tominaga’s defense. When he arrived at Nebraska in 2021-22 following two years at Ranger College in Texas, that was a big issue for the young guard.

Hoiberg noted that Tominaga is now equipped at chasing down screen as well as defending off the dribble. He believes that shows the work ethic of Keisei Tominaga to improve his weaknesses, and is yet another quality about him that should stand out to NBA teams.

“I love everything about Keisei,” he said. “First of all, as a person, he’s as genuine a kid as you’re gonna find. He’s got so much attention around him right now for the way he’s playing and the crowd, how they react to him. He’s very humble through it all. His head never gets big. He’s not a social media guy. You don’t see him posting everything that’s said about him. And I love that about him.

“He just goes out and goes to work. He’s gonna be in the gym tomorrow twice. Practice and then he’ll come back for an extra session. As a player, what he’s doing right now speaks for itself. But I think more as a person. I’ve absolutely loved coaching him and getting to know him. He’s got a heck of a future in front of him.”

Tominaga can return for another season at Nebraska, and his NBA draft stock would likely improve by doing so. For now, he’ll continue trying to get better and show pro scouts why he deserves a chance in the league.