Roster reshaping
The Wisconsin Badgers have finalized their 2026 roster, a move that follows a wave of departures and a flurry of additions through the transfer portal and direct signings. Eight players left the program this offseason, among them Nick Boyd, Braeden Carrington, Andrew Rohde and Isaac Gard, who were out of eligibility. In response, the team signed guard Jackson Ball, wing LaTrevion Fenderson and forward Isaac Riddle for the incoming class, while also welcoming Owen Foxwell from the NBL as their point guard and adding transfers Trey Autry, Eian Elmer and center Victory Onuetu. With 14 players currently on the roster, the Badgers still hold one scholarship spot open, eyeing overseas options but keeping the door ajar for a familiar face.
Eligibility lawsuit looms
Among those watching the shuffle is Braeden Carrington, a senior who attended the team's first open practice of the summer. Head coach Greg Gard noted Carrington's presence but stopped short of confirming whether the player would pursue an additional year of eligibility. Carrington's recent production — averaging 8.3 rebounds and 2.4 points per game while shooting 40.1 percent from three — adds a tangible reason for the coaching staff to consider his fit on the bench.
The outcome of a pending age‑based eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA could determine whether Carrington, along with a group of 25 athletes, receives permission to compete in the 2026‑27 season. The case underscores how legal considerations are now intertwined with roster planning.
While the Badgers have kept the final roster spot open, the blend of transfer experience and home‑grown talent suggests a strategy that balances immediate competitiveness with long‑term development. The mix of newcomers such as Jackson Ball, LaTrevion Fenderson, Isaac Riddle, Owen Foxwell, Trey Autry, Eian Elmer and Victory Onuetu, together with returning figures like Greg Gard, sets the stage for a season that could hinge on both on‑court performance and off‑court eligibility rulings.