New Zealand guard Jackson Ball commits to Wisconsin men's basketball
Wisconsin basketball adds 2026 New Zealand guard Jackson Ball, a high-IQ guard with pro & international experience, to its recruiting class.
The University of Wisconsin basketball program’s momentum carried into March with another win, this time coming on the recruiting trail.
Late Monday night, New Zealand guard Jackson Ball announced his commitment to the Badgers, adding an intriguing international playmaker to Greg Gard’s backcourt in the 2026 recruiting class.
"I am grateful and excited to announce my commitment to the University of Wisconsin," Ball wrote on Instagram.
"Huge thanks to Coach Gard and the rest of the Wisconsin coaching team for this opportunity. I can’t wait to put on the Wisconsin singlet 🟥⬜️.
"I would also like to acknowledge coach Aidan Daly for all the time and effort he has given me. Truly appreciate the belief he has shown in me since the first day I dribbled a basketball."
A rising talent from New Zealand
Ball, a 6-foot-4 guard who plays for Hawke's Bay, has long been regarded as one of the top young prospects in New Zealand by scouts. His impressive combination of size, strength, and playmaking ability makes him an exciting fit for Wisconsin’s free-flowing offense.
He has already gained valuable professional and international experience, further cementing his status as one of New Zealand’s most promising young talents. He began his professional career with the Taylor Hawks in New Zealand’s National Basketball League (NBL) during the 2024 season and has since re-signed with the team for 2025.
On the international stage, Ball represented New Zealand in the FIBA U16 Asian Championship in 2023 and later played in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in 2024. His development earned him a major opportunity in Feb. 2025 when he was selected to join the Tall Blacks, New Zealand’s senior national team, for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
In doing so, Ball became the third youngest player to wear the Tall Blacks jersey, gaining valuable experience in two qualifying games.
Known for his high basketball IQ and ability to read the game at an advanced level for his age, Ball has been a standout in New Zealand basketball circles for years—despite not turning 17 until March 10.
On film, Ball shows a natural feel for reading the floor, allowing him to create shots for both himself and his teammates in pick-and-roll situations and out in transition. He does a nice job of getting to his spots on the floor, can get downhill, and finishes strong around the rim.
His shooting ability stands out—he has a quick, repeatable release with minimal wasted motion, making him a constant threat to knock one down from the perimeter. Ball has strong positional size for a combo guard and plays with a competitive edge that you want to see.
With the way that college basketball is evolving offensively—and considering Wisconsin’s style of play—Ball looks like a perfect fit for the Badgers system.
Familiarity with Wisconsin
Ball’s ties to Wisconsin go beyond his recruitment.
He teamed up with 2025 Badgers signee Hayden Jones at the U17 World Cup, where he built some familiarity with a future teammate. After visiting Madison earlier this season, Ball also gained a deeper appreciation for the program’s strong connection to New Zealand basketball—thanks in large part to Kirk Penney’s presence on Wisconsin's coaching staff.
Penney played a key role in Ball’s recruitment, along with the rest of Wisconsin’s coaching staff, who identified him as an ideal fit for their offensive system. With his ability to push the tempo, create for teammates, and space the floor with his shooting, Ball projects as a high-upside addition to the Badgers’ positionless offensive approach.
“You’re trying to bring in players who fit the system, who can space the floor, drive, and shoot,” Penney said. “We’re building this offense around spacing and making sure we’ve got the right pieces to execute.”
While Ball's arrival is still a couple of years away, his commitment further solidifies Wisconsin’s growing international recruiting footprint and adds another promising playmaker to the program’s pipeline. The more transactional nature of recruiting overseas has accelerated the process, especially compared to traditional high school recruiting, where coaching staffs often spend years building relationships before landing a player.
For now, Ball is set to join Wisconsin in 2026, becoming the second member of that recruiting class alongside in-state forward LaTrevion Fenderson.
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