The Wisconsin Badgers have a solid basketball recruiting class coming in this fall. The class is headlined by three-star small forward LaTrevion Fenderson from Racine, with New Zealand’s Jackson Ball coming along as well. Not to mention Owen Foxwell, a 22-year-old Australian professional player, flipped his commitment from LSU to Wisconsin this month and expects to compete for the starting point guard position next season.
Now, joining them is an in-state high school guard who finished his career with over 2,500 points just outside of Madison.
2026 Mount Horeb (WI) guard Josh Manchester commits to Wisconsin
On Wednesday, Mount Horeb's Josh Manchester announced his commitment to Greg Gard and the Wisconsin Badgers.
Staying home 🏠
— Josh Manchester (@JoshManchester9) April 22, 2026
Go Badgers!🦡🦡#committed@BadgerMBB pic.twitter.com/z8oHov8H9E
At Mount Horeb, Manchester finished his career with 2, 534 points, good for 10th all-time in Wisconsin high school basketball history. In his senior season, Manchester averaged an astounding 30.1 points per game and was named one of six finalists for the 2026 Wisconsin Mr. Basketball award by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. In addition, Manchester was named the 2025-26 Wisconsin State Journal Player of the Year.
In an interview with Evan Flood of Badger Blitz, Manchester stated that playing for the Wisconsin Badgers had been a childhood dream of his. With an offer given to him this week from general manager Marc VandeWettering, Manchester could not wait to commit.
He also understands this is not an opportunity to be taken for granted:
“All the coaches knew it meant a lot to me. I want to be there. I’m not one to care about the money or anything. Wearing ‘Wisconsin’ on my chest means a lot. I’m going to come in, basically just work my butt off.”
Despite a decorated high school career, Manchester comes to Madison as a 247Sports zero-star recruit and will most assuredly compete for playing time in a deep backcourt. However, if Manchester shows the hard work he says he will and develops his body for the Big Ten Conference, then Badger fans will have another under-recruited in-state product shine for Wisconsin on the basketball court.
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