Isaac Riddle, the newest addition to Wisconsin basketball’s 2026-27 roster and the 14th player in tow for next season, is widely regarded as a developmental, long-term prospect who is expected to contribute later.
Greg Gard, the head coach who does not provide details about projected roles and playing time in May, even admitted his long-term approach in his announcement when Riddle was signed:
Isaac joins the team as one of Australia’s greatest young prospects with exceptional potential as he continues on his development journey, according to Gard when Riddle formally joined the club.
Still, the Australian forward has immense potential. He may not be a major component of the Badgers’ intentions for 2026-27, but with a few years to build his physique and improve his game, Riddle might be a problem a few seasons down the line in Madison.
Riddle has just released his highlight tape from the 2025 season. Here’s what stands out about the Badgers’ latest big man.
Excellent movement skills for his size
The first thing you observe when viewing Riddle is that he is all over the court. Riddle was routinely one of the larger players on the court in his U18 league, but he was more than just a bully who used his physical superiority to dominate opponents.
The forward moves the floor effectively despite his 6-foot-8 height. He doesn’t appear sluggish or clumsy when moving, as many large guys do. He moves quite smoothly and has strong footwork for euros and step-throughs when he gets inside the lane.
Riddle also has a great feel for cutting and off-ball movement; he’s almost always in motion. You like how busy he is, and that he is more than simply a post-up merchant.
He still uses his height effectively.
Though Riddle does not move like a standard big guy, he nonetheless offers all you would expect from a player in the four or five position. He has superb ups and can readily posterize opponents while standing low. He also understands how to use his size in the lane to generate room and make his way to a clear shot at the rim.
Riddle’s hands are also a huge advantage. He’s a major lob target, and he made some excellent catches mid-air before slamming it home in his highlight package.
Budding shooting skill.
At this level of development, Riddle is not a shooting big man in the same way that Nolan Winter is. Few people are. However, he has some real shooter’s touch and a developing long-range shot.
Riddle demonstrated the ability to knock down open three-pointers, which is crucial in the Badgers’ attack. He does not need to be a 40% shooter from beyond, but the ability to knock down an open shot from range is critical for spacing, and Riddle appears to have it.
He also has excellent touch around the rim with his layup package and a couple of fading shots here and there. Again, he is extremely adept at leveraging the benefits that his stature provides.
Sneaky Guard Skills
Riddle’s height and mobility are enough to get you thrilled about what he might grow into in Madison. However, on occasion, he executes a move that, especially given his stature, will raise eyebrows and compel you to replay the video.
This was unusual, but on one play, Riddle got a ball on the outside, drove to the lane, and then pulled up to sink a fading jumper, appearing very fluid throughout. It’s frightening if he can regularly include that to his game at 6-foot-8.
On another play, he stormed into opposition, stumbled slightly off-balance, but braced his shoulders in midair and made a difficult two-point jumper. Once again, these are guard talents that, if refined, would be borderline unfair given his size.
