Andre Follows Unusual Path to College Hoops

Lincoln – Eduardo Andre had different childhood sporting goals than most college basketball players.

Instead of patrolling the paint in the Big Ten, the Husker freshman thought his eventual sporting home would be on the pitch, keeping strikers at bay.

"I was always playing soccer as a kid," Andre said on growing up in East London. "I played for my local team and stuff like that and played for my school team. I just grew up playing soccer.

"I knew a little bit about basketball because my older brother (Kiesse) actually played basketball but like I never paid any attention to it," Andre continued. "It is kind of weird, but a coincidence that I started playing."

While Kiesse eventually played for a basketball club in England, Eduardo's journey from London to Lincoln began with an injury while playing soccer. He eventually joined his older sister (Elisa) in competing on the track and field before turning his attention to the hardwood.

"I was going to do track instead, and then my school hired a basketball coach, and that is when I started playing basketball," Andre said recalling the time he played organized basketball for the first time. "I was like 'yo this is kinda fun,' and I wasn't too bad at it so I kind of stuck with it."

While Andre started to develop, basketball was still just a pastime until one of his opposing coaches talked to him after a tournament in South London. That coach worked with him on his game and helped him make the move over to the United States – the first time he had been to the U.S. – in 2017.

For Andre, it was a "bit of an adjustment" moving from London to Dallas as a teenager, while also making a major step up in competition.  

"Everybody was a lot more skilled than me," Andre said. "They knew how to do everything, and I was still new to the game. I was trying to catch up with everything."

Andre credits Woodrow Wilson Coach Patrick Washington for helping to ease the transition to competitive basketball. Andre, who had grown to 6-foot-8 by then, began to blossom, averaging 12.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game on his way to earning district defensive player of the year.
"He kind of took me underneath his wing and helped me out with everything," Andre said. "He was hard on me, but it paid off."
The journey continued last season, as he transferred to AZ Compass Prep for his senior year and another step up in competition. His team featured a trio of Division I signees and faced some of the top players in the high school ranks. He averaged 10.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.9 blocked shots per game and was considered as one of the top 200 recruits nationally by 247Sports.
"I felt it was the right move for me in trying to get ready to play basketball in college," Andre said. "It was a good challenge."
While Nebraska was one of the final schools to reach out, Andre knew it was a good fit after talking with the Husker coaches.
"I was looking to make a decision about school and was talking to a couple of different schools looking for the right fit," Andre said. "When I was about to make the decision, Nebraska came into the picture. Matt (Abdelmassih) and Coach Hoiberg called me and visited on the phone. I also watched a lot of film on how they played and some of the past players Coach Hoiberg had. I felt like it was the right decision for me, so I made the decision to commit."
For Andre, the summer has provided a valuable experience getting stronger and adjusting to the speed and size of this level.
"It can be hard at times, but I just have the mindset that I just push for everything," Andre said. "So that is what I just try and do every day, just work as hard as I can."
His work with Strength Coach Tim Wilson has been evident, as he has added nearly 10 pounds since coming to campus in June, as he starts to fill out his 6-foot-10, 230-pound frame. Andre said the added strength has helped him feel more explosive on the court.
Andre has also relied on teammates such as Teddy Allen and Derrick Walker Jr., noting that Walker's experience has been valuable in the transition to the college game.
"He is close to me every day in practice and off the court telling me about stuff I should do and little things I need to know," Andre said.
While Andre brings a unique skillset, including a 7-foot, 4.5-inch wingspan, to the Huskers, he also brings a mature attitude about the role he can play on this year's team.
"I want to bring a lot of energy to the team playing both sides of the court," Andre said. "Using my speed and being able to protect the rim. Just playing defense, I believe I can protect the rim, switch positions and guard multiple positions."