Wisconsin holds commitments from Serbian hoops stars but there’s a frustrating block

UPDATE: Illinois entered into discussions with Mihailo Petrovic and was able to flip his commitment

The Wisconsin Badgers are in offseason mode and head coach Greg Gard is working on rebuilding a roster that lost eleven players due to graduation and transfers. It's almost a complete overhaul especially throughout the bench. Gard has been able to reload with three incoming freshman including 4-star Zach Kinziger. UW is also adding three starters through the transfer portal including one of the top point guards in the portal, Nick Boyd.

Gard is also never scared to look overseas, as he has some exciting prospects coming in from New Zealand both this year and next. He added Ricardo Greppi last year from Italy and there are other names to keep an eye on overseas. Even another impressive player from Italy.

Two names have recently emerged on Wisconsin's recruiting radar from the Serbian league, known as the ABA. 6'3 guard Mihailo Petrovic and 6'8 forward Filip Jovic. The good news is according to Dillon Graff of BadgerNotes.com, Wisconsin already holds commitments from both of them but there's a hang-up.

Serbian stars Mihailo Petrovic and Filip Jovic are trying to come to Wisconsin but need visa clearance

Petrović and Jović both play for KK Mega Basket of the Serbian ABA League. As you can see in the social media post above, both have been posting impressive numbers. Jovic even going 16 points and 7 rebounds against the NBA G League team United. Both players have indicated they want to be Badgers. What's the block? According to Graff it's the visas which is why they can't even be listed as commitments yet, for that may or may not work out.

"Both have been in touch with the coaching staff—and both are in wait-and-see mode. The holdup? Visa clearance.
A BadgerNotes correspondent at Buckys Burrow reported that immigration logistics have delayed any potential move to Madison, which Petrovic shared when asked where things stand with Wisconsin. “The plan is for me to come to the University of Wisconsin,” Petrovic said. “Right now I don’t have any sure information, but I think and hope that I will become a part of the Badgers family.”"

Dillon Graff of BadgerNotes.com

Graff points out that Petrovic told him that both players are in the same position and both players want to come to Wisconsin. There is much more you can read about where things stand in Graff's article but for now, keep an eye out on both of these players and the potential that they truly could come to Wisconsin next year, as true freshman but with higher level experience than just high school.