Wisconsin and Greg Gard enter the race for touted transfer

Update: Leon Bond III has committed to Iowa State according to Evan Flood.

The Wisconsin Badgers are in need of a long, defensive-minded wing with the ability to get a bucket. Andrew Rohde has run out of eligibility, and that leaves a big hole in the starting lineup. While Greg Gard could let Hayden Jones or Jack Janicki share the role. The transfer portal has some intriguing names. One exciting option would be Leon Bond III from Northern Iowa.

According to On3.com's Evan Flood, Bond may have some interest from Wisconsin. Bond is from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was a 4-star recruit out of high school that many thought would end up at Marquette, yet instead chose to go out of state to Virginia.

Leon Bond III a former 4-star player from Wisconsin would be a great Greg Gard fit

Related: Greg Gard makes contact with intriguing in-state portal target

After only playing 12.3 minutes and averaging 4.1 points per game. The 6'5 guard chose to transfer to Northern Iowa. It was for the Panthers that he regained his high school hype. His first season, as a sophomore for Northern Iowa, he gained his footing and played 21 of 23 games, averaging 26 minutes and 9.6 points per game. Last season is when he gained a ton of traction, becoming a full-time starter playing 32.8 minutes and scoring 11.9 points per game, shooting 36.2% from three.

He also could play in the John Blackwell-type role instead of the stretch wing, but it depends on how Greg Gard sees him fitting in. He has the ability to stretch the floor and score when called upon. Now that he has college experience, he comes with a veteran presence that Gard relied on with Nick Boyd last season.

Bond is one of the first reported visits, and his local connection adds extra intrigue as a real option for the Badgers. Andrew Rohde also left Wisconsin for Virginia and eventually came back for his final season. Bond could follow a similar route, but with a stop in Northern Iowa.