The Wisconsin Badgers have been taking quite the hits in the transfer portal. Watching John Blackwell walk and being ranked one of the top players on the portal. They also lost a surprise to the portal in Aleksas Bieliauskas. This was really costly to their front court, but now Greg Gard has some great news with Nolan Winter set to return.
It sounds like he hasn't quite yet signed his senior season deal, but it's close enough to put things in the category of: "He will return next season." It's great news for a Badger team that needs consistency and senior leadership going into next season.
Wisconsin senior center Nolan Winter has not officially signed any paperwork yet but the #Badgers expect him to return next season, per a source.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) April 9, 2026
Huge retention for Greg Gard. Winter averaged 13.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game last season.@CBBcontent was first
Nolan Winter is set to return for the Wisconsin Badgers on a new deal
Related: John Blackwell already linked to 2 schools Wisconsin fans will lose sleep over
College basketball is full of one-year deals now, and that seems to be what happened with both John Blackwell and Nolan Winter. Last season at this point, both players were announced as signing with the Wisconsin Badgers. Turns out that was just for one season. Blackwell is gone, but Winter is set to return, barring some last-minute pivot in the deal.
Winter is a much-needed retention. The Badgers only have three big men left on the roster, counting Winter. It's only him, Will Garlock, and Austin Rapp. Both Garlock and Winter are the only true big men who play the center position.
This is very helpful for the Badgers beyond keeping a player who averaged 13.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He's also a consistent performer in this program. He's been here since he was a freshman and hasn't departed. The Badgers need some of that senior leadership.
Winter is also the only starter returning for Wisconsin and Greg Gard. Nick Boyd and Andrew Rohde have graduated, and Blackwell and Bieliauskas have left via the transfer portal. That leaves Winter as the one starter that can carry over into next season. It's a big addition by retention.