Badgers land former five-star recruit in transfer portal

IOWA CITY, IA - MARCH 21: Guard Addie Deal #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes to the basket in the first half against forward forward Leah Crosby #15 of the FDU Knights on March 21, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While the Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team is looking to figure out its next steps in the transfer portal, the women’s team has been making some major moves.

The most notable? Landing former five-star recruit Addie Deal in the portal earlier this week. The Iowa guard had averaged 5.1 points, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 rebounds a game this season as a freshman before entering the transfer portal.

She struggled with her efficiency, shooting under 40 percent from the field and 30 percent from three, but the pedigree of being a 2025 McDonald’s All-American was there.

Deal made the All-Big Ten freshman team, playing in 15.5 minutes per game this season. She fills the void of a combo guard and adds to Wisconsin’s depth after the Badgers saw four players enter the transfer portal so far.

Deal was the No. 9 overall recruit in the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports, and is the first Badgers player ever to have been a McDonald’s All-American in high school. She starred at Mater Dei and was ranked the No. 1 player in the state of California coming into college.

Robin Pingeton and her staff have been making some moves this offseason, and Deal is quite the notable name to be heading into the program.