The Badgers are nearing a completed roster for the 2025 season, which will include at least 10 new players that were not with the team in 2024. Head coach Greg Gard spoke with reporters at his cancer charity event about how some of the transfers came to be, and how one NBA Hall of Fame coach played a role in landing one of them.
"[Austin] Rapp, there was a lot of connections," said Gard. "His dad had coached in Division III, he knew about coach Ryan. There was a connection through Randy Bennett at St Mary's...and there was some connection through Gregg Popovich with the Spurs too. The dad has a good relationship with him and between the Division III background of myself and our history, and then obviously the relationship with Greg Stiemsma, a lot of things came together to make that happen."
It's not often an NBA legend has a hand in securing one of your top transfers, but it looks like the recently retired Popovich was at least somewhat involved in Rapp's recruitment. Badger assistant Greg Stiemsma was part of his staff on the San Antonio Spurs from 2021-2024.
Gard also spoke on how the transfers of Andrew Rohde and Braeden Carrington came to fruition. Rohde was a player the Badgers had recruited since high school. They also recruited him when he transferred to Virginia last season, and now Gard and company finally enticed him to suit up for Wisconsin. Gard had some familiarity with Carrington from his time playing against him and Minnesota. Carrington left for Tulsa, and Gard credited friend and former Wisconsin assistant Duffy Conroy, now with the Golden Hurricanes, for his help.
While a great deal is made about money and NIL in the transfer portal, it seems like for Wisconsin, human connection and relationships were a huge part in landing a lot of their targets. From former assistants to NBA coaching legends, it pays to know the right people.