Completed Event: Men's Basketball at UNLV on February 7, 2026 , Loss , 78, to, 80
M Basketball
at UNLV
L 78-80
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: David Kadlubowski
Biliew ready for blow-up at GCU
4/25/2026 1:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro, Lopes Insider Blog
Ex-Wake Forest power forward becomes highest-rated Lopes recruit
When Omaha Biliew slips into Grand Canyon purple this summer, the Lopes signee will be the program's most touted recruit in history as a 2023 McDonald's All-American who was rated 11th nationally by ESPN and Rivals coming out of his Iowa high school.
In between growing up near Des Moines and landing in Phoenix, Biliew made stops at Iowa State and Wake Forest with the 6-foot-8, 230-pound power forward's emergence just beginning to take hold last season and making him and Lopes coaches optimistic for a full-potential reveal next season.
"Omaha brings a lot of experience from playing in the ACC the last couple years," GCU head coach Bryce Drew said. "He was an extremely decorated high school player, being a McDonald's All-American and the highest-rated recruit GCU's ever had on a roster. We like his athleticism around the rim and his 3-point shooting, which will fit very well with how we play."
Biliew went from averaging 7.4 minutes as an Iowa State freshman to a twice-fractured foot limiting his first Wake Forest season to 13 appearances in 2024-25. Last season, Biliew started 24 of 35 games for Wake Forest and averaged 6.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks in 20.3 minutes per game. The big man shot 46% from the field, 37% from 3-point range and 79% from the free throw line.
His breakout game was an 18-point, 10-rebound performance against North Carolina State, and he started all four Demon Deacon postseason games with averages of 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks during the NIT with 8-for-11 shooting.
"This past year was probably my first time stepping on the court and getting a feel out there," Biliew said. "It gave me a better feel for the college game at this level, and I feel really confidence right now stepping into GCU. I can't wait.
"I saw the vision and how the coaches really believe in me to come in and impact right away. It's a basketball environment. I can focus on ball and get better each day with my teammates."
Biliew committed to GCU after Zoom meeting with Drew and the Lopes coaches and then found everything confirmed and then some during a campus visit last week.
Anxious for summer workouts in GCU Basketball Practice Facility, Biliew said he intends to arrive early to start the next chapter of a 5-star recruit's journey.
"It ultimately has just shown me, when you put everything into it, how far it can take you and how quick it can derail," Biliew said. "It has reminded me of how much I love the game regardless of falling down a little. Having a great high school career and doing all the things I dreamed of and then coming to college and not experiencing success, it was hard. But it's part of the journey, and it inspires me to keep going. I'm just thankful for all the ups and downs that this game gives me because I love the game."
Biliew's first name, Omaha, comes from his birthplace, where he was born in the city's strong South Sudan community as a first-generation American in his family. He is familiar with former GCU standout Lök Wur, who was born there when his South Sudanese family followed a similar path.
The work ethic that Biliew talks about having is reminiscent of Wur, who elevated his game greatly at GCU to tap into the potential of his recruiting ratings. This offseason, Biliew said his perimeter shooting is reaching another level.
"I'm a very versatile, two-way player with a high motor," Biliew said. "I bring a lot of energy to the game on both ends of the floor. I would say my game's exciting when I'm playing at my best above the rim. I get my teammates into the game and give them a lot of energy. I'm a winner."
After playing in Big Ten and ACC atmospheres for the past three season, Biliew's excitement grew for the unique scene that the Havocs create at Global Credit Union Arena.
"I hope the Havocs are ready for when I come through," Biliew said. "I know they are going to get up there. I'm going to meet their energy when I step in. I've seen a lot of videos of them, and it gets me excited. I can't wait."
In between growing up near Des Moines and landing in Phoenix, Biliew made stops at Iowa State and Wake Forest with the 6-foot-8, 230-pound power forward's emergence just beginning to take hold last season and making him and Lopes coaches optimistic for a full-potential reveal next season."Omaha brings a lot of experience from playing in the ACC the last couple years," GCU head coach Bryce Drew said. "He was an extremely decorated high school player, being a McDonald's All-American and the highest-rated recruit GCU's ever had on a roster. We like his athleticism around the rim and his 3-point shooting, which will fit very well with how we play."
Biliew went from averaging 7.4 minutes as an Iowa State freshman to a twice-fractured foot limiting his first Wake Forest season to 13 appearances in 2024-25. Last season, Biliew started 24 of 35 games for Wake Forest and averaged 6.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks in 20.3 minutes per game. The big man shot 46% from the field, 37% from 3-point range and 79% from the free throw line.
His breakout game was an 18-point, 10-rebound performance against North Carolina State, and he started all four Demon Deacon postseason games with averages of 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks during the NIT with 8-for-11 shooting.
"This past year was probably my first time stepping on the court and getting a feel out there," Biliew said. "It gave me a better feel for the college game at this level, and I feel really confidence right now stepping into GCU. I can't wait.
"I saw the vision and how the coaches really believe in me to come in and impact right away. It's a basketball environment. I can focus on ball and get better each day with my teammates."
Biliew committed to GCU after Zoom meeting with Drew and the Lopes coaches and then found everything confirmed and then some during a campus visit last week.
Anxious for summer workouts in GCU Basketball Practice Facility, Biliew said he intends to arrive early to start the next chapter of a 5-star recruit's journey.
"It ultimately has just shown me, when you put everything into it, how far it can take you and how quick it can derail," Biliew said. "It has reminded me of how much I love the game regardless of falling down a little. Having a great high school career and doing all the things I dreamed of and then coming to college and not experiencing success, it was hard. But it's part of the journey, and it inspires me to keep going. I'm just thankful for all the ups and downs that this game gives me because I love the game."
Biliew's first name, Omaha, comes from his birthplace, where he was born in the city's strong South Sudan community as a first-generation American in his family. He is familiar with former GCU standout Lök Wur, who was born there when his South Sudanese family followed a similar path.
The work ethic that Biliew talks about having is reminiscent of Wur, who elevated his game greatly at GCU to tap into the potential of his recruiting ratings. This offseason, Biliew said his perimeter shooting is reaching another level.
"I'm a very versatile, two-way player with a high motor," Biliew said. "I bring a lot of energy to the game on both ends of the floor. I would say my game's exciting when I'm playing at my best above the rim. I get my teammates into the game and give them a lot of energy. I'm a winner."
After playing in Big Ten and ACC atmospheres for the past three season, Biliew's excitement grew for the unique scene that the Havocs create at Global Credit Union Arena.
"I hope the Havocs are ready for when I come through," Biliew said. "I know they are going to get up there. I'm going to meet their energy when I step in. I've seen a lot of videos of them, and it gets me excited. I can't wait."
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