Badgers sign international standout fans dubbed ‘Tom Riddle’ for a hilarious reason

Wisconsin basketball fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Greg Gard and the Badgers have officially signed international star recruit Jackson Ball. There was concern among the fanbase that Ball would be discovered by other high-major programs and poached.

He's already proven to be a young star professionally in New Zealand, and his highlight performances have had fans calling him "He who must not be named" as a joke about keeping him a secret. It then morphed into "Tom Riddle." It doesn't hurt that he kind of looks like the teen actor who played the Harry Potter character.

Jackson Ball has the potential to be an incredible international recruit for Wisconsin

Related: Wisconsin commit joins international pro league that’s fast becoming an NBA pipeline

The bit was so strong that one account on X decided to make a fake graphic with "Tom Riddle" as the commit using Jackson Ball's picture and details (except, of course, the location was changed from New Zealand to the United Kingdom to complete the bit). It went viral, racking up 32,000 likes and almost 1200 shares. See the post below:

Why were Wisconsin fans nervous? Well, ESPN listed him as New Zealand's best NBA prospect, and he tore up the NZBL, a professional basketball league in New Zealand, with a 40-point performance and multiple 30+ showings. He then signed a deal to play this season in the NBL, a professional league in Australia considered one of the top international leagues in the world.

He's the real deal, and he's proven it internationally. It looks like he may be on a fast track to the NBA, with now an official stop in Madison to get a year or two of college experience before he jumps in the draft.

That's at least the plan and so far, everywhere he's gone he's figured out a way to become a standout, now let's watch him do it as a Badger.