3 show-stealing underclassmen at Wisconsin's advanced camp have Greg Gard thrilled

One of the coolest things that Greg Gard and the rest of the Wisconsin Badgers organization put together each year is the summer advanced camp. At the camp, talented basketball players from across the state have a chance to show up, show out, and potentially earn recruiting interest from Wisconsin. Greg Gard has to be thrilled with how this one turned out, especially with the young talent that showed up.

Per reports, 4-star 2027 commit Jalen Brown was the best player at the camp, and understandably so. Brown earned himself an offer at the same camp the year prior and didn't have much to gain from attending this year other than building familiarity with the coaching staff. But Brown’s performance came as no surprise due to his already-built prestige. The performances of three underclassmen are what really stole the show.

Braylin Calhoun

Arguably the biggest story of the day was class of 2031 standout Braylin Calhoun. Yes, you heard that right, one of the biggest standouts of the entire camp was an eighth-grader — what a world we live in. Calhoun isn't just a gimmick player who relies on athleticism and size to overwhelm underdeveloped competition either. He has legit ball skills and fluidity on top of physical gifts that separate him from the crowd.

Calhoun’s jump-shooting ability was what really turned some heads, however, as his ability to hit shots off movement or from a standstill, with or without a hand in his face, was truly amazing for a player his age. If Calhoun can continue to grow into his frame along with rounding out his skill set, he could very well find himself as a five-star recruit by the time he ends his high school tenure.

KJ Wilson

The “MVP” of the camp and the only player to receive an immediate offer following the camp was class of 2028 guard KJ Wilson. The 6-foot Minnesota native came into the camp relatively unknown, only holding one offer from Arizona State University. However, it didn't take much time for Wilson to make himself known, proving from the get-go that he was one of the best players there.

Wilson showcased elite guard skills despite being undersized, consistently beating guys off the dribble and making plays as a downhill attacker. You couldn't give him too much space either, as Wilson proved capable of hitting outside shots as well. Defense will obviously be an uphill battle for him given his size, but at worst, Wilson showed he can be a pest on that end.

Jayden Jackson

Not very often will a freshman big man steal the show at a camp competing against other bigs up to four years older than him, but in Jayden Jackson’s case, he did just that. The 6-foot-8 Madison native isn't the most polished at this current point in time, but his talent is clearly off the charts.

Jackson pairs size, mobility and ball skills with a never-ending motor, making him a handful to deal with even if he doesn't have a polished skill to fall back on. He also showcased the ability to draw his defender out of the paint and onto the perimeter, giving himself room to create advantages off the dribble with a quick first step. It's clear that Jackson has a ways to go in his development, but for a player his age, he is more than just on the right track.

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