Wisconsin’s NBA pipeline is starting to look a lot less like a talking point and a lot more like a real trend, and two names on next season’s roster are already drawing draft buzz.
For a program that used to hear plenty of grumbling about its pro production, the Badgers have changed the conversation. Over the past few years, Wisconsin has sent out Johnny Davis, John Tonje, Chucky Hepburn, Steven Crowl and Nick Boyd, players who may not have become stars at the next level but have managed to stick around. And with the 2026-27 season on the horizon, draft scouts are again paying attention to what Greg Gard has coming.
The clearest NBA prospect in the group is Nolan Winter. The 7-footer is the kind of big man who makes evaluators stop and take a longer look, and the source material leaves little doubt about his stock: “Nolan Winter is getting drafted. The only question is whether he’s a first- or second-round pick.”
A true 7-footer with a rare skillset, elite offensive impact, and only continues to get stronger. I like him as an NBA prospect even more than Henri Veesaar. pic.twitter.com/QrGehj0iO4
- JPR (@Scouting_Col) July 3, 2026
Winter has moved forward steadily in each of his first three seasons at Wisconsin, and the expectation is that the incoming senior keeps climbing. What makes him stand out is the blend.
He can bang inside and punish defenders in the paint, but he also has enough touch to pull opposing bigs away from the rim. On top of that, he runs the floor well enough to matter both as a transition threat and as a roll man in the half court.
There are still boxes to check. Winter needs to add weight and tighten up his offensive consistency. Even so, he looks like the safest bet on the roster to hear his name called in the near future, especially with the new 5-in-5 eligibility rules potentially affecting when he makes the jump.
The more surprising name in the mix is Eian Elmer. The 6-foot-6 Miami (Ohio) transfer may not jump off the page the way Winter does, but he’s got enough NBA traits to land on draft boards.
Last season, he averaged 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 stocks per game for a 32-2 RedHawks team, and his shooting is what really pops. Elmer hit 42.9% from three last season and has never dipped below 40% in college.
That said, his offensive package is still pretty narrow. He hasn’t shown much creation off the dribble and has largely been a 3-and-D type to this point.
That’s where the Wisconsin angle matters. Gard has a history of helping wings develop quickly, though there’s no guarantee Elmer follows the same path as the more naturally gifted scorers the Badgers have had in recent years.
Still, the league has always had room for players who bring size, shooting and defense. Elmer checks those boxes, and that alone gives him real 2027 or 2028 NBA Draft upside.
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His new club competes in the top tier of the BNXT League and just won a championship in 2025, so this is not a developmental detour so much as an opportunity to join a winning environment with real expectations. After limited playing time with the Salt Lake City Stars, Klesmit now gets the kind of runway that can matter for a player looking to rebuild momentum and prove he belongs in the pro ranks. [Read more 🡒]
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The real squeeze comes in the backcourt and on the margins, where freshmen and returners are all pressing for a look. Gards lean is to reward defensive reliability, especially in ball-screen coverage and positioning, so the battle is not just about who can score but who can stay on the court without breaking the structure. That leaves a few young players in developmental roles for now, while one sophomores growth on defense could end up changing the math before long. [Read more 🡒]
Badgers Commit Jack Tabbert Sounds Exactly Like Wisconsin Wants
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Now comes the part Wisconsin will be watching closely: how that momentum carries into a packed summer and then into the fall. Tabbert has talked about the strong community inside the class and the work ahead in workouts, while also keeping his eyes on a bigger goal with Pewaukee this season. For a program that values players who fit its culture as much as its depth chart, he sounds like the kind of addition that can matter long before he ever steps on campus. [Read more 🡒]