Wisconsin men's basketball in the mix for 2027 in-state recruit Donovan Davis
Wisconsin Badgers basketball is pushing to keep 2027 in-state forward Donovan Davis home as his national recruitment starts to heat up.
If you’re looking for an in-state prospect whose game is blossoming alongside his national profile—and who happens to be a top priority for the Wisconsin basketball program—start with Donovan Davis.
The 6-foot-7, 200-pound forward from Freedom High School has been steadily turning heads for two years—and now, entering his junior season, he's doing it with high-major interest at his doorstep.
As a sophomore, Davis averaged 22.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.8 steals per game while shooting 65.7% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc—earning NEC Player of the Year and D3 All-State honors, cementing his status as one of the top risers in the Midwest.
Wisconsin was the first school to offer Davis back in June 2023—a moment that carried weight for the four-star recruit. “It means a lot to me since my first offer is from my home state team,” Davis said.
And now? It’s clear he’s trending up.
Davis is currently ranked as the No. 41 overall player in the 2027 class, the No. 7 power forward, and the No. 2 player in Wisconsin, according to 247Sports.
And in the transfer portal era where fewer high school recruits command attention like they used to, Davis appears to be on the fast track to a full-blown national recruitment—so keeping him home to play for the Badgers will be no easy task.
Marquette and Iowa State have followed with scholarship offers of their own—and there’s little doubt more will come this summer on the AAU circuit. Both head coaches, Shaka Smart and TJ Otzelberger, are Wisconsin natives who’ve made recruiting their home state a top priority.
But Wisconsin’s early belief has them in a strong position early for Davis.
Wisconsin’s coaching staff building a relationship with Donovan Davis
Davis told BadgerNotes that the relationship with Wisconsin’s staff has continued to grow over the past year.
He’s attended several games in Madison, including an unofficial game day visit during the Badgers 103-88 upset of No. 9 Arizona. And Assistant coach Sharif Chambliss also made the trip to watch Davis play in person this past season.
“We have a pretty good relationship,” Davis shared. “They’ve had me come to a few games, and Coach Sharif came to one of mine, so it’s a pretty good relationship.”
Chambliss has been the lead recruiter for Davis, and the staff’s message to him has been consistent throughout the process.
“They’ve said they liked how I played, grown, and that I would be a good addition to their team,” Davis added.
For a player with Davis’ versatility and feel, it’s easy to see why Wisconsin wants to stay involved. He’s a fluid athlete with the length and frame to play multiple positions, and his sophomore tape shows polish beyond his years. Davis scored efficiently from all three levels and helped lead Freedom to a 28-2 record and a runner-up finish in the state tournament.
Davis plays with a sense of control and brings the kind of positional skill set that translates on both ends of the floor. Whether it’s jumping passing lanes, getting downhill, running in transition, or creating off the bounce, Davis can impact the game in a lot of ways. The jumper is coming along—but refining the release and adding some fluidity could unlock another level of his game. Still, when you combine that with his athleticism and measurables, it’s easy to see why high-major programs are starting to circle.
Davis looks like he would be a natural fit in a Wisconsin offense that’s finished in KenPom's top 20 in adjusted efficiency two years running and continues trending in the right direction under Greg Gard.
“They ran a very good fast tempo offense, and it was very fun to watch,” Davis said. “They were able to get plenty of opportunities for open shots and layups.”
What's next for Davis?
Now gearing up to compete on the AAU circuit with Team Herro—the same program that produced 2025 Wisconsin Badgers signees Zach Kinzinger and Will Garlock in the last recruiting cycle, Davis is working to round out his game.
“I’m working on everything—especially making 3-pointers more consistent, other moves when I get the ball in the short corner, and more things just to make me a better player,” Davis explained.
He’s also thinking about what he wants in a program at the next level.
“The most important thing is finding a team that has a coaching staff that has trust in me to play my game,” Davis said. “And have teammates that have my back and each others’ backs.”
That mindset tracks with what college coaches are prioritizing in the portal era—especially at Wisconsin, where the staff has put a greater emphasis on both in-state and international recruiting.
On paper, those are the kinds of players you’re more likely to get buy-in from, get NIL deals for, and potentially retain, which then allows you to supplement the roster with the right portal pieces. And while there’s still plenty of time before Davis has to make a decision, the combination of upside and maturity will undoubtedly keep him on Wisconsin’s radar moving forward.
With Power 5 interest heating up, Davis’ recruitment is only getting started—but thanks to an early offer and steady relationship-building, Wisconsin is firmly in the mix before things take off.
We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.
You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.