Wisconsin basketball updated starting lineup, rotation after Austin Rapp's commitment
Wisconsin basketball updated starting lineup, rotation after Austin Rapp's commitment
Wisconsin continued its impressive start to the 2025 offseason on Friday night, as it landed a commitment from Portland transfer forward Austin Rapp.
Rapp joins the Badgers with three years of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-10 forward broke out as a true freshman in 2024-25, averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks while shooting 39.7% from the field and a West Coast Conference-best 35.2% from 3. That versatile production, specifically the outside shooting numbers, should immediately help the program replace Steven Crowl's frontcourt production.
The WCC Freshman of the Year joins Virginia guard Andrew Rohde in the Badgers' 2025 transfer class. They each fit a similar mold -- Rapp led the WCC in 3-point attempts (236), makes (83) and percentage (35.2%), while Rohde shot a blistering 41% from beyond the arc. Wisconsin has its top wing-scoring option in John Blackwell entering 2025-26, assuming he doesn't leave for the NBA. The program is making a clear effort to surround him with shooting threats, or players who can contribute without a high-volume workload.
While Wisconsin still has remaining needs in the starting lineup and among its reserve group, here is an updated look at the team's projected lineup and rotation.
Wisconsin Projected 2025-26 Lineup With Transfer Forward Austin Rapp
Guard: John Blackwell (Junior)*
(Junior)* Guard: Andrew Rohde (Senior -- Virginia transfer)
(Senior -- Virginia transfer) Wing: Transfer (TBD)
(TBD) Forward: Austin Rapp (Sophomore -- Portland transfer)
(Sophomore -- Portland transfer) Forward: Nolan Winter (Junior)
Wisconsin's starting lineup looks a lot more dangerous with commitments from Rohde and Rapp. Assuming steps forward from Blackwell and Winter, there's a chance this lineup is even tougher to defend than the 2024-25 group, especially given the top-end shooting threats from 1-5.
Rapp's commitment is especially impactful. Wisconsin was razor-thin at forward after Steven Crowl and Carter Gilmore graduated. His addition will allow Greg Gard to bring Xavier Amos off the bench, significantly lengthening the rotation. Knock-down three-point shooting is sometimes challenging to find at the position. Rapp provides exactly that, ensuring the team doesn't miss a beat after losing Crowl (9.9 points per game, 41.6% from 3) and his floor-spacing ability.
The big variable to watch is the wing position. Wisconsin is trending for guard Nick Boyd, which could push Rohde to wing. Or, Wisconsin could add Boyd and a wing scorer, then bring Rohde off the bench.
*(Note: Blackwell declared for the NBA draft on April 3 while maintaining his collegiate eligibility. He remains in the projected lineup, barring an unforeseen rise up draft boards)
Wisconsin's Projected 2025-26 Bench/Reserves
Guard Jack Janicki (Sophomore)
(Sophomore) Forward Xavier Amos (Senior)
(Senior) Guard Jack Robison (Sophomore)
(Sophomore) Center Riccardo Greppi (Sophomore)
(Sophomore) Guard Hayden Jones (Freshman)
(Freshman) Guard Zach Kinziger (Freshman)
(Freshman) Center Will Garlock (Freshman)
Wisconsin's rotation is lengthened significantly with Janicki and Amos coming off the bench, as opposed to the two leading the starting lineup with Blackwell and Winter. The program still needs depth at forward, as neither Greppi nor Garlock are write-ins to the regular rotation.
The Badgers still have several scholarships available. Commitments from a top-end wing, guard and depth forward, and the team will again project as one of the Big Ten's best.
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