Badgers starting forward announces return after speculation

Wisconsin forward Austin Rapp (22) shoots a 3-pointer against Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) during the second half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at United Center in Chicago on Saturday, March 14, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After weeks of speculation, it’s official: Austin Rapp is returning to the Wisconsin Badgers for his junior season.

Rapp was a key piece for the Badgers as a sophomore, making 12 starts and averaging 23.2 minutes a game. He had 9.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists a contest this past season, while shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three.

Rapp was among the top priorities for the Badgers this offseason and was widely expected to return, even saying as much in Wisconsin’s season finale. But, as we know in today’s transfer portal world, nothing is finalized until pen is put to paper and an announcement is made. Well, that came from Rapp on Sunday evening, keeping one key piece in Madison for the 2026-27 season.

Rapp started the year as a starter, but was moved to a reserve role in the Big Ten opener against Northwestern after struggles shooting the ball and on the defensive side. Then, at the beginning of January, Rapp dealt with an injury, keeping him out two weeks, while a sickness bothered him on and off during the month as well.

But, the forward enjoyed his best basketball as the Badgers really started to turn things around, starting at the end of January. Over his final 13 games of the season, after Rapp settled back into the lineup, the forward averaged 11.1 points and 4.4 rebounds on 25.3 minutes per game, while shooting a highly efficient 44.2 percent from three on 5.9 attempts a game.

Taking on a starting role in the Big Ten Tournament in place of Nolan Winter, Rapp impressed in Wisconsin’s three-point loss to Michigan in the semifinals, hitting six consecutive three-pointers as he brought the Badgers back into the game.

Now, as a junior, Rapp is expected to be a key focus in the frontcourt alongside Nolan Winter, assuming the Badgers can finalize negotiations there. But, after some transfer portal departures, Wisconsin got some good news on Sunday evening.