It's only been a few days since the last news dump, but things are starting to move along as football season gets closer and closer. It's now less than a month before the Badgers have their first 2025 football game. The NFL training camps are all underway, and there's some interesting news and nuggets from there.
However, first, let's dive into a really important hoops update that many probably missed, and that's with 2026 commit Jackson Ball out of New Zealand.
Jackson Ball signs NBL deal and is listed as New Zealand's best NBA prospect
There are really two news reports in one. The first is that Jackson Ball signed a new deal with the NBL out of Australia, which is one of the best and most demanding international leagues. Many NBA prospects spend time there, and even some fringe NBA players spend a year or two in the league. It's going to be way more competitive than the NBZL was last year for Ball.
With that comes the listing that Ball is considered the best NBA prospect out of New Zealand and part of his move to the NBL is to prepare for that. If all goes according to plan, Ball will spend a year in the NBL, a year or two with the Badgers, and then as a point guard in the NBA. Huge news for Wisconsin.
Joe Tippmann is in a competition for his starting role even though he's the better player
It's a strange one out of the New York Jets that former Badger Joe Tippmann is fighting for a starting role even though he was a higher graded player last year than Josh Myers. However, Myers signed a $3.5 million one-year deal. Tippmann appears to be embracing it and ensuring he keeps his job.
Hunter Wohler is having a good start to camp and turning heads
Reports out of Indianapolis are that Wohler is having a good camp, and he may be in line for more playing time than the typical seventh-round pick gets. This is a good sign. Read about that here.
Finally, a notable bonus is that Jake Ferguson signed a significant deal ahead of training camp, making him one of the top 10 highest-paid tight ends in the league.