Zavier Zens, considered the top basketball prospect from Wisconsin, is once again available for recruitment, and the University of Wisconsin has now shown significant interest in the forward.
Zens, who was named Mr. Basketball for Wisconsin in 2026, confirmed on Thursday that the Badgers extended a scholarship offer and that he plans to make an official visit to the campus on April 13th.
His recruitment has gained considerable momentum since he was released from his commitment to Northern Iowa just days ago. This occurred after head coach Ben Jacobson departed for Utah State. Along with Wisconsin, both Utah State and Illinois have also presented him with scholarship offers.
According to Zens’ statements to 247sports, he had a conversation with assistant coach Lance Randall on Tuesday, followed by a discussion with head coach Greg Gard and his family on Wednesday.
Expressing his thoughts on a potential fit, Zens stated, “I believe I would integrate well with their team. Their playing style aligns closely with what I experienced in high school. I think it would be an excellent match if they were to pursue me further; I would be very enthusiastic about that prospect.”
While coach Gard has consistently valued recruiting local talent, bringing in three Wisconsin players over the past two cycles, UW’s earlier interest in Zens was limited. At that time, the Badgers already had two guards committed for their 2026 class – LaTrevion Fenderson from Racine and Jackson Ball from New Zealand – and were aiming to reserve roster positions for more seasoned athletes available through the transfer portal.
It’s hard to overlook Zens’ exceptional senior year at Wisconsin Lutheran. As the conference’s player of the year for two consecutive seasons, he averaged an impressive 23.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. His shooting percentages were outstanding: 61.8 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range.
In the WIAA Division 1 state championship game, where his team achieved a perfect 30-0 season with a 57-37 victory over Madison Memorial, Zens delivered a remarkable performance. Playing alongside fellow UW recruiting target Kager Knueppel, he led all scorers with 20 points (shooting 8-for-9 from the field and a flawless 4-for-4 from three), in addition to six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
Zens informed the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he plans an official visit to Utah State on April 10th. He also mentioned he’d be closely monitoring how many of his former Northern Iowa teammates decide to enter the transfer portal and potentially reunite with Coach Jacobson.
He added, “I truly hope they do, as I was eager to play alongside those specific individuals.”
Furthermore, Zens emphasized that securing an early chance to compete for a significant role on the team is a crucial consideration for him.
“That’s quite important to me, something I really need to consider and evaluate what will be most beneficial,” Zens explained. “I’d prefer to play promptly – not necessarily start immediately, but certainly have the opportunity to earn a spot.”
