Greg Gard has been getting a lot of flak lately for not landing top in-state talent. Whether that is a fair assessment or not, there is some truth to it. Typically, the top player in the state has been heading to Iowa State. This frustration came up again recently when Donovan Davis, the No. 2 in-state ranked player for 2027, chose the Cyclones. This was after the No. 1 in-state player, Dooney Johnson, chose Gonzaga.
However, Wisconsin seems to be closing in on the No. 3-ranked Wisconsin player, Jalen Brown. A nearly 5-star guard in the 24/7 Sports composite rankings. This should be able to get some of the pressure off of Gard. This crystal ball from Nick Osen is important, and it's important for not just Gard but also for Osen, who is a perfect 100% in his predictions for basketball.
97 overall composite 4⭐️ Jalen Brown projected to commit to Wisconsin 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/m89LrVkkvz
— NATIONAL CHAMPION Dr. Marte (@Badgers_44) June 4, 2026
Wisconsin receives 24/7 Sports Crystall Ball to land 4-star guard Jalen Brown
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Brown is a potential star. If he were in other in-state recruiting years, he could easily be the top player in the state. In fact, a case could be made that he rivals either Dooney or Davis. Badger of Honor's very own Owen Jury had this to say about Brown, "Brown has a rare blend of plus positional length and elite shot creation ability, allowing him to be one of the most dynamic offensive threats in the entire country."
Brown has 12 offers from programs around the country, like Cal, Nebraska, Indiana, Washington, Marquette, and many more. However, according to Osen, Wisconsin stands out. He's set to visit the Badgers later this week and could make a decision shortly after.
Wisconsin has yet to land a 2027 recruit, and this would be the first in a class. If Brown does indeed commit, as Osen is predicting, this would be a great start to a pivotal class for the Badgers, where Gard is trying to bring in at least 2-3 high school recruits. The other name to watch is Baboucarr Ann.
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