GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Isaac Traudt says his heart was with Creighton as soon as he entered the transfer portal.

The former Grand Island standout and 2022 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year announced on March 27 that he had entered the transfer portal following a redshirt season at Virginia. His announcement said he intended to transfer closer to home. Four days later, he signed with the Bluejays.

Traudt joined the Doug & Daddy Show on ESPN Tri-Cities on Wednesday and said the decision was more about Creighton’s positives than any problems with Nebraska.

“I admire Fred so much. He’s a great coach and that program is obviously trending in the right direction, but just as far as play style and overall success in the last decade or so, I just really wanted to play for Creighton," Traudt said. "I felt a good connection with Coach McDermott and I know a lot of the guys coming back, so overall it was a pretty easy decision but that’s nothing against Nebraska at all.”

Traudt said he never felt any outside pressure to leave Nebraska after high school and chose Virginia in part as a way to go explore and get out of his comfort zone. He said he improved on defense during his redshirt year and learned how to score against high-level competition by working on the scout team.

Traudt’s main point of contact with Creighton was head coach Greg McDermott. The 6-foot-10 forward said he talked with former Aurora star Baylor Scheierman, who said he loved his experience after transferring to Creighton.