Jack Thelen, a seven‑foot‑one center from Maple Grove, Minnesota, announced his commitment to the University of Wisconsin on Wednesday, securing a spot in the Badgers' 2027 recruiting class.
Standing at 7‑foot‑1 and weighing 240 pounds, Thelen brings a rare combination of size and mobility to Madison. The prospect, who also held scholarship offers from Montana State, Miami (OH) and Murray State, cited the university's storied basketball tradition and its emphasis on community as decisive factors.
Thelen’s decision follows an unofficial visit to the campus in May, where he said he was struck by the welcoming atmosphere and the tight‑knit environment that coaches and teammates have cultivated. "It felt like home the moment I stepped onto the quad," he remarked.
A Commitment That Echoes Wisconsin’s Big‑Man Legacy
His pledge adds a prominent interior presence to a class that already includes guard Jalen Brown. Rivals currently ranks Wisconsin’s 2027 cohort No. 18 nationally, underscoring the impact of landing a player who grew up admiring former Badgers such as Steven Crowl and Nolan Winter.
Thelen’s admiration for Crowl and Winter reflects a lineage of Minnesota‑born big men who have left their mark at Wisconsin. The Badgers have historically leveraged that pipeline to sustain competitiveness, and Thelen hopes to follow a similar trajectory.
Coach Greg Gard praised Thelen’s work ethic and potential, noting that the team’s history of developing big men from Minnesota positions the program well for continued success. "We’re excited to see how Jack will grow under our program and contribute on both ends of the floor," Gard said.
Analysts expect his arrival to bolster the team's interior defense and rebounding, attributes that have been pivotal in recent Big Ten campaigns. As the class takes shape, the Badgers aim to climb higher in the national rankings, targeting a top‑10 finish by the time the recruits arrive on campus.