Mr. Basketball of Wisconsin was set to become a Northern Iowa Panther until the head coach, Ben Jacobson, was hired away by Utah State. That left Zavier Zens looking to find a new landing spot. Greg Gard missed his chance the first time around, but has now decided he doesn't want that to happen again and has recently given Zens an offer and scheduled a visit.
This is a big shift as Gard had locked up his 2026 recruiting class and had yet to put Zens on the plan. However, with Zens surging and Gard continuing to look to the future and lock up the best recruits in the state, Zens' recruitment has now become a Wisconsin focus.
Hinted at it on @Badger247 boards Thursday, but Zavier Zens has received an offer from Wisconsin #Badgers
— Nick Osen (@TheRealNickOsen) April 2, 2026
Per Zens’ Instagram
Visit to Madison in a week and a half
Zavier Zens now has a visit scheduled and an offer from Wisconsin and Greg Gard
Related: Former Badger is back in the transfer portal after jump starting his career at Lipscomb
Zens is listed as a 3-star recruit and the third-best player in the state according to 24/7 Sports. He is behind Yusef Gray Jr., a point guard headed to Iowa State, and LaTrevion Fenderson, a small forward committed to the Badgers. However, according to the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association committee, he's the best player in the state, winning the Mr. Basketball award.
Zens didn't get a lot of high-major interest and even fewer high-major offers. Most of his recruitment came in the form of mid-majors. However, after asking for his release from Northern Iowa, Greg Gard decided to swoop in. Zens may need a year or two to develop, but he has a very high ceiling. Similar to what Gard got in Zach Kinziger in the last recruiting class.
Now that Zens has an official offer from Wisconsin, he has also scheduled a visit in about a week and a half from now. That could be when Gard closes the deal and brings home the best in-state player.