A new powerhouse on Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League circuit is drawing national attention as a Wisconsin‑based AAU program, known as Team Herro, prepares for the upcoming Peach Jam tournament. Sponsored by Milwaukee Bucks star Tyler Herro, the squad brings together the state’s most coveted 2027 talent under a banner that promises both prestige and a chance at historic success.
The roster reads like a who’s who of Wisconsin basketball, featuring Dooney Johnson, Kager Knueppel, Jack Kohnen, Donovan Davis and Deuce McDuffie, each of whom has committed to major Division I programs. Their collective experience spans multiple seasons, allowing the group to develop a cohesion that many rival teams lack. Other notable members such as Travis Diener, Joah Tucker, Jalen Johnson, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Reece Beekman, Jim McIlvaine, Damon Key, Calvin Rayford, Kevin Rankin, Korie Lucious, Kon Knueppel and T.J. Otzelberger add depth and versatility to the lineup.
A Legacy in the Making
Guided by Chris Herro, the father of NBA guard Tyler Herro, the team has leveraged deep local ties, including the long‑standing involvement of Duane Wilson Sr. in Milwaukee‑area AAU circles, to build a culture of relentless improvement. The chemistry forged on the court has already produced a semifinal run in the 16‑under bracket last year, setting the stage for an even deeper push this summer.
Individual skill sets complement one another: Johnson, the consensus top‑30 recruit, anchors the offense, while Knueppel brings sharpshooting precision, and McDuffie, who recently secured a scholarship offer from the University of Wisconsin, is poised to break out. Donovan Davis and Jack Kohnen have also seen their national profiles rise through exposure with Team Herro, illustrating how the circuit can accelerate a player’s recruitment trajectory.
If the team succeeds at Peach Jam, the ripple effect could reshape recruiting narratives for the universities they have chosen, including Gonzaga, Duke, Iowa State, Marquette, the University of Wisconsin and several others. The tournament thus serves not only as a battlefield for elite under‑17 competition but also as a catalyst for the next generation of college stars.