Wisconsin basketball point guard Daniel Freitag enters the NCAA transfer portal
After one season in the Wisconsin men's basketball program, point guard Daniel Freitag has entered the transfer portal in search of a fresh start.
Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball program spent several years recruiting Daniel Freitag, but they won’t be the ones reaping the fruits of that labor.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound point guard announced his intent to enter the transfer portal after one season in Madison. Freitag is opting to explore other opportunities with three years of eligibility remaining.
It feels like the writing was on the wall for some time. It’s not hard to envision Freitag and the Badgers’ coaching staff having an honest conversation. Considering the circumstances, it seems likely that they came to the conclusion that a fresh start would be the best path forward.
"My time at UW has been an enjoyable chapter in my life," Freitag wrote. "The relationships I’ve built with my brothers here have meant everything to me, and I’m grateful for it all. Every challenge and obstacle will make me a better man, and I wouldn’t trade the adversity for anything. I never thought this day would come, but I’m aware God doesn’t make mistakes. Through it all, I will continue to trust His plan for my life and career.
"To the Wisconsin fans, thank you for the support from the moment I arrived on campus. It has not gone unnoticed, and it has been amazing to experience. A special thank you to the guards who took me under their wing: Camren Hunter, John Blackwell, John Tonje, Max Klesmit, and Kamari McGee,” Freitag continued. “There will always be a spot in my heart and in my mind for my amazing teammates.
"After much thought and prayer, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal. I look forward to the next step, but I’ll always be grateful for my time as a Badger."
A four-star prospect in the class of 2024 and the highest-rated backcourt recruit of the Greg Gard era, Freitag’s commitment was seen as a major win for the Badgers on the recruiting trail. Wisconsin edged out programs like Baylor, Virginia, Iowa State, Minnesota, and Notre Dame.
The belief was that Freitag could become a program-elevating piece. But college basketball doesn’t always follow the script.
Freitag’s freshman season was an uphill battle, to say the least. Appearing in just 14 games for a total of 27 minutes, Freitag averaged 0.1 points per contest on 1-for-11 shooting from the field. His lone basket came in a blowout win against Iowa, a brief highlight in an otherwise difficult year. He also missed all three of his free throw attempts, grabbed four rebounds, dished out three assists, recorded one steal, and committed nine personal fouls.
Part of the challenge? Earning consistent playing time on a veteran-heavy roster. Guards like John Blackwell, Max Klesmit, Kamari McGee, and Jack Janicki earned most of the playing time, and it quickly became apparent that Freitag was far behind others for a regular rotational spot.
In practice — and during his limited time on the floor — Freitag often looked like a player trying to force the issue rather than letting the game come to him. While Gard’s system has loosened up in recent years, it still demands players to read the floor and make smart decisions within the structure. For Freitag, the biggest hurdle was getting the game to slow down.
Janicki, despite being a walk-on, carved out minutes by consistently making the right reads and taking care of the ball. Freitag, on the other hand, wasn't able to prove he was ready for a meaningful role.
Neither side wanted it to end this way.
Freitag’s talent was undeniable at the high school level. The Minnesota native led Breck High School to a 31-1 record and a Class 2A state championship as a senior, stuffing the stat sheet with 26 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. His combination of athleticism and two-way upside made him one of the most sought-after guard prospects in his class.
That pedigree brought expectations, but the transition to the college game proved difficult. Now, Freitag will have the chance to reset and continue developing.
The transfer portal has become synonymous with opportunity in today’s college basketball landscape. With the right fit, there’s little doubt Freitag can still find his footing and develop into a really productive player at this level.
Freitag’s departure is the second blow to Wisconsin’s backcourt this offseason.
With veteran guard Camren Hunter also in the portal, Gard and his staff have some work to do. Max Klesmit, Kamari McGee, and John Tonje have all exhausted their eligibility, leaving significant gaps to be filled in the backcourt. The Badgers need reinforcements and have been active in the portal searching for guards who can step in and contribute right away.
It’s another reminder of the unpredictable nature of college basketball. A year ago, Freitag was seen as a future cornerstone of the Wisconsin men's basketball program. Today, both he and the Badgers are charting new paths. The hope for both sides is that those paths lead to success.
From my vantage point, Freitag always seemed like a great teammate on the sideline — but the lack of tangible progress raised real concerns about whether he could contribute in year two. In today’s game, with NIL dollars in play, it’s tough to justify that kind of investment in a player who might not be ready until year three. Whether you call it mutual or not, a source shared that this was a staff-driven decision to recruit over Freitag.
This wasn’t some case of Freitag being pushed out. But from what I’ve gathered, it sounds like the staff’s plan was for him to return in a similar role next season unless something significant changed.
With the proposed revenue-sharing model raising the program’s roster limit to 15 for men’s basketball, how Wisconsin manages its roster — especially with walk-ons — is up in the air. One thing’s clear: the Badgers need portal help at multiple spots and will look much different next year.
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