The Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team just suffered its second big in-state recruiting loss in the class of 2027, as forward Donovan Davis committed to Iowa State. Davis was a consensus four-star recruit, ranked 38th in the composite rankings. His combination of size, athleticism, and competitive nature made him a force on the interior, dominating around the basket. Davis has the capability to both rise up over defenders and finish, along with the ability to add some finesse, finishing efficiently with either hand.
NEWS: Donovan Davis, Rivals’ No. 31 overall recruit in the 2027 class, has committed to Iowa State, he told @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) May 7, 2026
The 6-7 forward becomes one of the highest-ranked players to choose the Cyclones in the modern recruiting era. https://t.co/a1wRWB22N9 pic.twitter.com/iagJrQlbqq
Defensively, however, is where he was most intriguing, showcasing rare versatility for a player his age. He used his size to own the inside, deterring drivers and swatting shots with ease. He also possesses fast enough feet to keep up with guards and wings on the perimeter, making him one of the more interesting defensive threats in the ‘27 class.
Donovan Davis spurns Wisconsin for Iowa State
As previously mentioned, Davis isn’t the only in-state loss the Badgers have suffered in this class either, as they have already lost out on a five-star and top-30 player in the country, Dooney Johnson. Many have been critical of head coach Greg Gard’s lack of aggression in in-state recruiting, meaning this loss will only add more fuel to an already blazing fire.
With that said, Wisconsin will have plenty of opportunities to redeem itself in this ‘27 class, with many more top players remaining uncommitted. The Badgers have been rumored to be in heavy pursuit of Jack Kohnen, Jalen Brown and Deuce McDuffie, each of whom are highly rated players in the class.
Landing one of them will likely not be enough to silence critics, as Gard has already lost out on the two top players in the class. However, it will move the needle ever so slightly in the right direction, especially if said player ends up returning high-end value. In other words, losing Davis was a slight setback in the recruiting department, but by no means the end of the world.
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