Wisconsin is going all in on 4-star who's Greg Gard's 'last piece'

Many Wisconsin Badger fans are feeling vindicated following the commitments of Jalen Brown and Jack Thelen, two players who are highly touted in the class of 2027. Brown in particular was huge news for fans, as he became the Badgers' highest-rated recruit in over a decade per 247Sports.

However, with some recent buzz surrounding another highly touted high school player, Brown's record may not last long, as four-star recruit and top-60 player in the nation Baboucarr Ann has been heavily connected to Madison. This hype only intensified following the release of a text message head coach Greg Gard reportedly sent to Ann, saying he (Ann) is the last piece Gard is looking for in the class of '27.

At face value, this message doesn't mean much, as Ann is likely receiving messages along those lines from plenty of coaches across the country who are looking to land him and his abilities. However, Wisconsin's ties with Ann have been strong for a good period of time now, and with his teammate, Thelen, committing to the Badgers, many presume that Ann will follow suit.

A Peak into the Future

Landing him would all but complete Wisconsin's '27 recruiting class, leaving the Badgers with two guaranteed star-level talents to build the program around. Ann may not be as polished as Brown, with his skill set lacking a fair bit of nuance as of right now. However, it's never a bad idea to take two very high-ceiling players who can complement one another's play styles and recruit them in the same class, giving them time to grow and develop together.

Not to mention Wisconsin will likely have insulation for both Brown and Ann in the early days of their college tenures with guys like Owen Foxwell, Zach Kinziger, Hayden Jones and LaTrevion Fenderson, who can help absorb some of their minutes. However, none of the aforementioned players have anywhere near the upside that Ann or Brown possess, hence why landing the duo would be such a big deal.

With all this said, the Badgers are only halfway there as of now, with Ann's recruitment still largely up in the air. Along with that, he has no real incentive to commit anytime soon, with an entire season of film and opportunities to gain more offers ahead of him. Nonetheless, the recruiting buzz Wisconsin has built and the persistence they have shown definitely won't hurt as they remain in hot pursuit of the 6-foot-5 forward.

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