Here's how to watch future Badger stars face off in the New Zealand Basketball League

This coming Friday, May 16, the New Zealand Basketball League will feature a game with two future Wisconsin players facing off against each other. The game will air on Watch ESPN, aka ESPN+, and will feature Wisconsin's highest-rated recruit, according to on3.com for 2025: Hayden Jones vs. 2026 New Zealand phenom Jackson Ball. Ball is scorching the New Zealand league right now.

How to watch Hayden Jones vs. Jackson Ball in the New Zealand Basketball League

Who: Nelson Giants vs. Hawke's Bay Hawks
When: 2:30 AM CT on Friday, March 16
TV: Streaming only
Streaming: ESPN+ (Watch ESPN)

The good news is that this game is fully watchable for the American viewer. The bad news is that it's in the middle of the night. It starts at 7:30 p.m. local time, but the central time zone is 17 hours behind New Zealand standard time. There's a silver lining for those of us who like to sleep in the middle of the night: ESPN will have it available shortly after it concludes to watch anytime if you have a subscription to ESPN+. Use this link.

This means that you can go back to watch it, and since you probably don't hang out with many people who watch the New Zealand Basketball League, it won't be spoiled for you.

Jackson Ball is tearing it up in the NZBL right now, while Hayden Jones is still finding his legs a bit. Ironically, Ball is still slated to come in 2026, while Jones is in 2025. Jones, through 10 games, is averaging 8.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. His season high is 20 points in a game. Ball, on the other hand, is averaging 22.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game (through 12 games). This is good for one of the top-scoring averages in the league.

Either way, it'll be a good opportunity for Wisconsin fans to check out some of their incoming talent from New Zealand on Friday.