Balham is Third Husker Basketball Graduate in 2009

Lincoln --- Chris Balham became the third player from the 2008-09 Nebraska basketball team to earn his degree as he went through graduation ceremonies at the Devaney Center on Saturday morning. Balham finished his undergraduate degree in just over four years while majoring in both international studies and Spanish.

 

Balham joins Ade Dagunduro and Nick Krenk as graduates from last year’s squad. Balham is the fifth graduate to compete at Nebraska under coach Doc Sadler, who enters his fourth season on the NU sideline in 2009-10.

 

“For Chris to be able to focus on his academics and finish his degree as a double major in just over four years says a lot about his character and his drive,” Sadler said. “He’s a great example of the type of student-athletes we want in our program. He understands the importance of an education and despite many obstacles, he has shown the determination to be successful both in the classroom and as part of our team.”

  

A native of Paris, France, Balham came to the United States late in his middle school career and picked up the game of basketball before his freshman season while attending high school in Chicago. He moved to the Kansas City area with his family before his sophomore season and played three years at Shawnee Mission West before joining the Cornhuskers.

 

After redshirting his first season at Nebraska, Balham has come on to play in 85 games during his career despite battling significant medical issues with his knees. He started 23-of-27 games last season although he only averaged just over 10 minutes per game. In his career Balham has hit 57.6 percent from the floor (53-of-92) while averaging 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest.