Major takeaways from Wisconsin basketball landing San Diego State transfer guard Nick Boyd

USA Today

07-04-2025

Major takeaways from Wisconsin basketball landing San Diego State transfer guard Nick Boyd
The Wisconsin Badgers landed a transfer commitment from former San Diego State guard Nick Boyd on Sunday.
The four-star prospect chose Wisconsin over top contender North Carolina, which he also visited during his recruitment. The rising sixth-year senior is 247Sports' No. 45 overall player in the portal and No. 11 shooting guard. His addition pushed the Badgers' transfer class up to No. 16 nationally.
Boyd joins Wisconsin after a strong 2024-25 season at San Diego State. He led the Aztecs in points (13.4) and assists (3.9 assists) while shooting 41% from the floor and 35% from 3. While the team fell in the NCAA Tournament First Four to North Carolina, the year continued Boyd's strong career trajectory after an impressive multi-year run at FAU.
Wisconsin's starting lineup and rotation continue to gain clarity with Boyd's addition. He is a write-in starting combo guard beside John Blackwell, assuming Blackwell doesn't enter the NBA draft. The two should create one of the Big Ten's better backcourt duos.
For more on the fallout from Boyd's commitment and what it means for the Badgers' 2025-26 season, here are some key takeaways:
Boyd adds a key veteran presence and a track record of March success
Boyd's strong production (13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 2024-25) is enough of a reason to be excited about his commitment. But past the statistical profile, the senior guard brings a March Madness track record that none on Wisconsin's roster can match. Boyd helped lead FAU to an improbable Final Four run in 2023, then to another NCAA Tournament appearance the following season.
That type of March Madness experience is rare in the transfer portal. It should help Blackwell and the Badgers' other rising stars work to reverse the program's eight years of postseason disappointment.
Boyd's commitment caps a best-case transfer recruiting run for Wisconsin
Boyd is the third four-star transfer prospect to commit to Wisconsin in the last six days. The team beat several top programs in those recruiting races, including North Carolina for Boyd, Michigan for forward Austin Rapp and Iowa State for guard Andrew Rohde.
Wisconsin addressed the major holes in its lineup with those three additions. Big picture, the three commitments represent a best-case run for Greg Gard and his staff. Boyd, Rohde and Rapp were instantly among their top targets and leading pursuits from the moment the portal opened.
Wisconsin prioritized a clear player profile
Boyd, Rapp and Rohde all join Wisconsin under different circumstances. Boyd will be a sixth-year senior with years of strong production, Rohde joins after a breakthrough 2024-25 season at Virginia and Rapp is fresh off a West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year campaign. But there is a clear throughline: all are terrific 3-point shooters and can score without a high shot volume.
Rohde shot a blistering 41% from long range at Virginia last season while averaging 9.3 points on just 7.8 shot attempts per game. Rapp leads this headline, as he led the WCC in 3-point attempts (83), makes (236) and percentage (35%) last season. Boyd, finally, shot 35% from deep in 2024-25. He averaged 13.4 points on 10.5 shot attempts per game, plus led his team in assists (3.9).
Gard has built a versatile lineup that can shoot well and distribute the basketball from one through five. The 2024-25 team was a great preview of that dynamic. Rapp now replaces Steven Crowl, Boyd replaces Max Klesmit and Rohde fills John Tonje's wing role. Together, they should help the Badgers starting group not miss a beat next season.
Gard's offensive overhaul continues to pay dividends
Gard's work to overhaul Wisconsin's offensive approach and overall program over the last few years continues to pay dividends. As mentioned, the team landed transfers over North Carolina, Michigan and Iowa State, among others. It's clear that those players, from a senior in Boyd to a sophomore in Rapp, view Wisconsin's system as one where they can develop, put up big numbers and potentially jump to the NBA.
That was not the reality just three years ago. NIL-based or not, Wisconsin was not beating top programs for coveted transfers.
Wisconsin is another depth addition or two away from being a Big Ten favorite
Assuming Blackwell is back, Wisconsin's projected starting lineup could go against any in the Big Ten. The only question remains deeper in the rotation, where Carter Gilmore and Kamari McGee played such critical roles in 2024-25. Jack Janicki and Xavier Amos should begin to fill those shoes. But Wisconsin is likely one or two key depth options away from being a legitimate Big Ten favorite.
But overall, any outstanding questions about Gard and Wisconsin excelling in the transfer age should be put to rest. He is in full control of Wisconsin's roster management and has the program set to contend for Big Ten titles in the years to come.
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