Badgers lose out on 2026 Wisconsin Mr. Basketball winner to Illinois

Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens (23) shoots from the line during the game against Slinger at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dec. 9, 2025. Wisconsin Lutheran won the game, 68-46. | Scott Ash / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Wisconsin Badgers have been focused on the transfer portal in recent weeks, landing commitments from guard Trey Autry, wing Eian Elmer, and center Victory Onetu over the last few days.

Those three players will be key pieces in the rotation next season, as Wisconsin is slowly building its roster towards the 15-player limit. But that hasn’t been the only focus for the Badgers recently. Wisconsin has also been looking into adding more recruits for its 2026 class.

One of the notable names that recently became available was 2026 Wisconsin Mr. Basketball winner Zavier Zens, a three-star forward from Wisconsin Lutheran. Zens had a breakout season, averaging 23.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, which helped him earn the national distinction.

He had been committed and signed to Northern Iowa after pledging there verbally last August, but requested a release from his National Letter of Intent after head coach Ben Jacobson was hired by the Utah State Aggies. From there, Zens reopened his recruitment and three schools were at the forefront: Utah State, Illinois, and Wisconsin.