Class of 2025 Recruiting: Key Targets for Wisconsin Basketball

With transfer portal action dwindling and the Badgers 2024-25 men's basketball roster nearly set, the focus for talent acquisition turns toward recruiting the class of 2025. Coach Greg Gard has already reeled in Zach Kinziger of DePere, Wisconsin, who committed in August of 2023 and is rated a three-star recruit by 247 Sports. With a handful of current players entering their last season of eligibility and plenty of uncertainty with the transfer portal, expect the Badgers' 2025 class to grow in the coming months.

Per Badger247, the Badgers have extended offers to eight players. That number dwindles to five after eliminating Kinziger, Xzavion Mitchell -- who committed to Iowa State -- and Jalen Haralson -- who didn't list Wisconsin as one of his final nine schools, as reported by Paul Biancardi.

Three of those five have earned four-star ratings, with Davion Hannah leading the charge. Hannah is 247 Sports' No. 19 recruit in the class and is a product of Nicolet High School in Glendale, WI. He's listed at 6-foot-5, 175 lbs on 247 Sports and, interestingly enough, will be playing with Kinzinger on the EYBL Circuit this summer as a part of Team Herro. In his Hudl highlights, Hannah showcased elite athleticism, throwing down several highlight dunks and alley-oops and made tough shots at all three levels. Per WisSports, Hannah averaged 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.9 blocks per game as a junior. However, he shot just 31.2 percent from deep (40-for-128).

Trent Sisley, a 6-foot-8 forward from Lincoln City, IN, is the next highest-ranked target for the Badgers, sitting at No. 61. PDT Scouting calls Sisley one of the most versatile prospects in the 2025 class and believes Sisley has NBA upside.

The third and final four-star brings us back to the state of Wisconsin with Kai Rogers of Wauwatosa West. Listed at 6-foot-10, 240 lbs, Rogers is ranked 77th nationally and only trails Davion Hannah in the state-wide rankings. Per WisSports, Rogers averaged 20.0 points, 13.6 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game and shot 71.3 percent from the field as a junior. He experimented with a three-point shot -- attempting 30 triples in 23 games -- but connected on merely 23.3 percent of his three-point tries.

EJ Walker of Erlanger, KY is the only other top-150 target for the Badgers, coming in at 140th in the national rankings. He made an official visit to Madison in late April -- his third visit to UW -- Nick Osen of 247 Sports reported. In an interview with Badger Notes, Walker said about his first two visits, " [The coaching staff] make it feel like home, and it's a family atmosphere." The 6-foot-8, 220 lbs forward has commanded over 25 offers, and for good reason.

"His unique combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills make Walker a versatile chess piece that could fit in any offense. He can push the ball in transition, win down on the low block with strength & footwork, or put the ball on the deck and slash to the hoop. "

- Dillon Graff, BadgerNotes

Three-star center Will Garlock is also on the Badgers' radar, who are one of five power-four schools to extend an offer to the versatile big man from Middleton, WI. As BadgerExtra reported, Garlock's recruitment got much more competitive after he sprouted from 6-foot-5 to 7-foot in his first three years of high school. Despite the growth, Garlock maintained some guard skills that make him a rare center prospect.

"His unique blend of size and shooting prowess has caught the attention of college coaches across the country. Moreover, his remarkable shot-blocking ability, combined with his lateral movement and agility, is very attractive for a player of his size."

- Kim Muhammad, Unit 1 Hoops

Considering the number of holes coach Gard will need to fill for the 2025-26 roster and the immense talent of the program's current class of 2025 targets, landing multiple commitments from this group could be integral to the Badgers future success. With a youthful core of John Blackwell, Xavier Amos, Camren Hunter and Nolan Winter already in place, Badger fans should keep a close eye on these recruits as they approach their senior seasons.