The Wisconsin Badgers are making waves in the 2027 recruiting cycle, and it's all thanks to the strategic moves of head coach Greg Gard. Their latest coup?
Securing four-star wing/forward Baboucarr Ann. Standing at 6’5" and weighing in at 180 pounds, Ann isn't just any recruit.
He holds the title of the No. 1 recruit in Minnesota and sits comfortably at No. 40 overall in the 2027 class according to Rivals. The 247Sports composite rankings also sing his praises, placing him among the top-65 recruits.
Ann's commitment marks the third major win for the Badgers in this cycle. He joins the ranks of four-star in-state guard Jalen Brown and three-star center Jack Thelen. Brown, in particular, has been a significant target for Wisconsin, becoming the highest-rated guard to pledge his future to the Badgers in the internet rankings era.
With these three commitments, Wisconsin boasts the No. 2 overall class in the 2027 cycle. While holding onto that spot might be a challenge as the cycle progresses, it's a clear indicator of the diligent work Gard and his team have put into securing top talent.
But the Badgers aren't stopping with the 2027 class. They're already setting their sights on the 2028 cycle, recently extending an offer to Cole Kelly, a promising forward from Illinois. Kelly, ranked as the No. 2 recruit in his state and a top-40 recruit overall, plays for Neuqua Valley and has attracted interest from a slew of schools, including Purdue, Creighton, Ohio State, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Nebraska.
Kelly's recent visit to Wisconsin's campus culminated in an offer from the Badgers, signaling their intent to be a serious contender for this top junior class recruit. As the Badgers continue to build their future, it's clear they're not just playing the game-they're aiming to dominate it.
In Other News...
Wisconsin May Already Have 3 Freshmen Ready To Force The Issue
Wisconsins willingness to let freshmen crack the lineup looks a little different now with the NCAAs 5-in-5 rule in place, and the Badgers seem prepared to live with the growing pains if the talent is ready. In a class that still has time to develop, three 2026 recruits have already started to separate themselves as the most plausible early contributors: Yahya Gaad, Carson Eloms and Keeyshawn Tabuteau.
The path is not the same for each of them, especially with the line positions usually demanding more time and the defensive backfield and receiver room each carrying their own layers of urgency. Gaad, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound EDGE who flipped from UCLA, and Eloms, an early-enrolling corner with speed and NFL ties, both fit needs Wisconsin may have to address sooner rather than later, while the wide receiver group is crowded with transfers and still searching for proven production from the returnees. [Read more 🡒]
Which Greg Gard Recruiting Class Was Really Wisconsin's Best
Greg Gards recruiting history at Wisconsin has been a study in patience as much as talent evaluation, with the Badgers often getting more mileage out of developmental wins than splashy rankings. The breakdown of his classes from 2015 through 2027 shows how the staff has pieced together everything from under-the-radar contributors to higher-end talent, and why some classes age better once the players actually get on the floor.
The 2027 group adds a fresh layer to that conversation, since it is already sitting near the top of the national rankings and has a chance to reshape how Gards recruiting legacy is viewed in Madison. Still, the answer to which class ultimately stands above the rest depends on what the newest arrivals become once their Wisconsin careers are written, which is exactly what makes the comparison so interesting for a program that has long valued proof over promise. [Read more 🡒]
John Tonjes Celtics Path Suddenly Feels Far Less Certain
John Tonjes path in Boston has entered a quieter, more uncertain stretch as the Celtics sort through the final pieces of their Summer League roster. The former Wisconsin standout is still in the mix as a restricted free agent, and the teams decision to keep him in that status gives it a chance to hold onto him while other NBA suitors remain in play.
Tonjes case is built on promise more than volume after a brief NBA look last season and a strong run with the Maine Celtics in the G-League. With Boston still shaping the rest of its Summer League group, including the expected addition of veteran guard Kyle Mangas, the next step for Tonje will depend on how the Celtics choose to use the flexibility theyve preserved. [Read more 🡒]