‘Can’t wait to play with you’: Badger women’s hoops fans love this recruiting update

Pewaukee's Giselle Janowski (23) breaks for the paint during the game at home against McFarland on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023.
Pewaukee's Giselle Janowski (23) breaks for the paint during the game at home against McFarland on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. | Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Giselle Janowski, a top-5 player in the state of Wisconsin, committed to the Badgers back in October. She chose to stay home and play for UW, but it was under the previous head coach, Marisa Moseley. There was fear from Wisconsin fans that she would eventually decide to play elsewhere, which is very commonplace in the recruiting world.

Months went by, and nothing had been reported. Then, the top player in the state of Wisconsin, Adaline Sheplee, loved what Robin Pingeton pitched to her and decided also to stay home. Janowski sent out a social media message that relieved the fears of Wisconsin fans, "Can't wait to play with you."

Giselle Janowski remains committed to the Badgers even after a coaching change

Wisconsin now has three of the top five players in the state for the 2026 recruiting class, according to Prep Girls Hoops. Sheplee is the No. 1 rated player, Leah Nordin is listed at No. 3 (she committed back in January), and Janowski is No. 4. This alone showcases that new head coach Robin Pingeton is dedicated to the goal she spoke about in her introductory press conference: recruiting the in-state talent.

In fact, for the 2026 recruiting class, that's all she's done. She has three commitments in that class, and all three are from Wisconsin, which shouldn't be overly surprising, as she's starting late to that class, at least from the Wisconsin standpoint.

The three girls from Wisconsin are great additions to the class, and all are national-level talents. All three had offers from all over the country, but especially Sheplee, who had some big offers from Kansas, Florida, Louisville, Illinois, and more.

Pingeton hasn't even coached a game yet for the Badgers, and yet she's starting to warm up the fanbase to a hire that most were confused by. The commitment to doing things the right way, with a clear vision, recruiting the in-state talent, etc., has helped her cause tremendously.