Nolan Winter to return for 2026-27 season

Feb 25, 2026; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter (31) scores during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images | Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

The Wisconsin Badgers got some major news on Tuesday, as star forward Nolan Winter is returning for the 2026-27 season, according to 247Sports’s Nick Osen.

Winter, a junior this past season, was Wisconsin’s top priority this offseason, and the Badgers fended off efforts to retain the big man and sign him to a deal for his senior season.

In 2025-26, Winter averaged 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 56.9 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from three. While his three-point percentage was down, Winter was still a highly efficient big who was a perfect fit for Wisconsin’s offense.

Now returning for his senior season, Winter could have a bigger role as Wisconsin has built its roster differently this offseason. He’ll be a Badger for all four years of his collegiate career, which has become quite rare in the modern era of college basketball.

Earlier this offseason, Wisconsin saw some transfer portal departures as John Blackwell, Aleksas Bieliauskas, Jack Robison, and Riccardo Greppi all elected to move on. Blackwell has since committed to Duke, and Bieliauskas has since committed to South Carolina.

But Wisconsin has been able to retain the rest of its roster. It’s now expected to have Winter, Austin Rapp, Jack Janicki, Hayden Jones, Will Garlock, and Zach Kinziger all back next season. The Badgers are also adding freshmen Owen Foxwell, Jackson Ball, and LaTrevion Fenderson (although Foxwell will be 22 this year). In the transfer portal, Wisconsin filled out the rest of its holes, landing guard Trey Autry, wing Eian Elmer, and center Victory Onuetu.

That should round out the majority of Wisconsin’s roster for next season, but the staff is still looking for any potential late additions in the transfer portal. Nonetheless, Winter’s return is huge for the Badgers this offseason.