Wisconsin Badgers head basketball coach Greg Gard is hot on the recruiting trail as well as leading his team to a fantastic season that no one saw coming. Gard has added an important commitment to the Badgers' 2026 recruiting class in one of the top players overseas, Jackson Ball. The 6'4 point guard is considered one of the best recruits in New Zealand.
BREAKING: NEW ZEALAND '26 point guard Jackson Ball has committed to Wisconsin
— Nick Osen (@TheRealNickOsen) March 4, 2025
Young, talented guard that has already played against top competition there at just 16 #Badgers
Top New Zealand point guard, Jackson Ball has committed to the Wisconsin Badgers
Ball announced his commitment on Instagram late in the evening on March 3rd with a post that read, "I am grateful and excited to announce my commitment to the University of Wisconsin! Huge thanks to Coach Gard and the rest of the Wisconsin coaching team for this opportunity. I can't wait to put on the Wisconsin singlet." He goes on to thank his coach Aidan Daly.
Ball is considered a highly skilled point guard with a strong feel for the game. He played on the New Zealand U17 FIBA team, which finished fourth in the tournament.
New Zealand PG Jackson Ball is one of the best ‘26s from Aus / NZ.
— Stevie Cozens (@StevieCozens) January 10, 2025
MM level player.
6’4 with strong body
High level passer in pick and roll + trans, high IQ
Deep shooting range with ability to hit off-dribble from 3 or mid-range
NBA JR 2023
U16, U17 National team
Best… pic.twitter.com/oXzH84lJhi
This is a big commitment for the Badgers as they play a brand of basketball that requires a strong IQ with a reliable point guard. It is imperative to Gard's coaching philosophy to take care of the basketball. Turnovers are a strong reason for some of the losses this year. Gard will work to develop Ball behind Freitag and get him ready to run the offense.
This is now the second commitment for the 2026 basketball recruiting class for the Badgers. They currently have LaTrevion Fenderson, a 3-star small forward from Delafield, Wisconsin. He's been committed since August of 2024.
It's exciting for Gard and his staff to find not only top in-state and area talent but that Gard is looking to grab some of the best players from overseas. Ball being one of the best, is a huge bonus.