Wisconsin men's basketball 2025 recruiting class evaluations and grades
The Wisconsin Badgers basketball team signed three players in the 2025 recruiting class on National Signing Day. Here are my evaluations and grades.
Wisconsin Badgers head basketball coach Greg Gard officially signed three players in their 2025 recruiting class on National Signing Day.
The Badgers class, headlined by four-star guard Zach Kinziger, three-star center Will Garlock, and international wing Hayden Jones, is ranked No. 47 nationally by 247Sports, No. 51 by Rivals, and No. 71 overall by On3.
The trio gives the Badgers a unique mix of shooting, versatility, and skill set as this staff continues to build this program for the future. Here’s a closer look at each recruit, along with my evaluation and grade for the class.
4-Star Guard: Zach Kinziger
Zach Kinziger, a 6-foot-3 in-state guard from De Pere High School, is the crown jewel of Wisconsin's 2025 recruiting class. He chose the Badgers over scholarship offers from Cal Poly and UW-Green Bay.
The four-star prospect is ranked as the No. 95 overall player in his class, the No. 15 shooting guard, and the No. 3 player in Wisconsin, according to the 247Sports composite, and comes in at No. 68 on ESPN's Top 100.
As a junior, Kinziger put up 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game for the Redbirds while shooting 42% from beyond the arc. He led De Pere to a 26-2 record and a sectional finals appearance. With a résumé that includes a Division 1 state championship during an undefeated 30-0 sophomore season, Kinziger brings a winning pedigree to Madison.
"We are very excited to have Zach joining our program," Gard said in a press release. "Growing up in Wisconsin, playing for this program is a dream for him. While evaluating him, it did not take long for my staff and I to identify Zach for his shooting, competitive drive, basketball IQ, and the effort that he competes with on the defensive end. Zach has been one of the best shooters in all of high school basketball, which will remind Wisconsin fans of many former Badgers that have helped our program sustain a high level of success.
"We are excited for Zach to join our Badger Family, and we can't wait to begin working with him to help him reach his goals.”
Badgernotes Scouting Report:
Considering the brand of basketball Wisconsin and coach Gard traditionally play, this pairing feels like a perfect match—especially with the Badgers offense placing a greater emphasis on three-point shooting.
Overall, Kinziger is essentially an ideal fit for the program. The Badgers are getting one of the nation’s top shooters and a gritty player cut from a similar cloth as many of the guards that came before him at Wisconsin who've impacted winning on both sides of the ball.
That said, Kinziger is more than just a "glue guy" in my eyes; he also brings some real scoring upside to the table. While he has some physical limitations, Kinziger feels like a high-floor guard with the potential to become one of the team’s top scorers over time. His ability to heat up quickly and stretch the floor with his range will make Kinziger a constant threat and pull defenders away from the basket.
As Wisconsin continues to lean into a more positionless style of offense, having a player like Kinziger becomes even more valuable. Much like Max Klesmit, Kinziger brings combo-guard versatility and can step in to run the point and get the team into their offense when needed. If I had to guess, I’d say Kinziger will be a multi-year contributor for the Badgers.
Recruiting Grade: B+
New Zealand Wing: Hayden Jones
Hayden Jones, a 6-foot-7 guard from New Zealand, brings an intriguing international résumé to the Wisconsin men's basketball program.
Jones has played two seasons with the Nelson Giants in the New Zealand NBL and made history by debuting for the New Zealand men’s national team at just 17 years old. Jones also shined at the FIBA U17 World Cup, averaging 11.6 points and 2.7 assists while leading New Zealand to a fourth-place finish—their best at a FIBA event since 2002.
Adding to his list of achievements, Jones earned MVP honors at the New Zealand U18 Nationals and has strong basketball roots, as his father, Phill, was a former teammate of Wisconsin Special Assistant to the Head Coach Kirk Penney on the New Zealand national team.
“We are excited about the addition of Hayden to our program," said Gard of Jones. "He has really grown in terms of his actual size, and at 6-foot-7, he is very versatile. Hayden has developed himself into a player that can play point guard, plus the two and three positions. Defensively, he’s long and does an excellent job of guarding players and disrupting shots at the rim with his natural size and ability. He’s also a great rebounder at his position. He has 20-plus rebound games at the guard position, which is really hard to do and shows that he has a nose for the ball.
"Hayden has a high basketball IQ, and we are looking forward to him coming into our program and absorbing what we do here. We are thrilled to have Hayden joining our program, and we are eager to help him grow.”
Badgernotes Scouting Report:
Hayden Jones remains a bit of a mystery, and it’s hard to know for sure what the Badgers have in him. However, the skill set is intriguing. I think it's also worth mentioning that Kirk Penney hasn't steered the Badgers in the wrong direction yet — and he played a vital role in this recruitment.
"If there's an agent involved with the European player, which there is a lot of times, it's very professional," Penney told Badgernotes regarding the overseas recruiting process. "They're used to having players that are older, and here's my player. Here's the team, there's a conversation, he's a contract, here's a deal. Let's go. It is quite transactional."
From what I’ve heard and seen on tape, Jones comes across as a playmaking point forward who can play and defend the one through three spots on the floor. On paper, Jones feels like a bit of a gamble, but if he pans out, the New Zealand native could help take Wisconsin’s new-look offense under coach Gard—to another level.
Jones has impressive court vision, ball-handling, and passing ability for his size, and he looks comfortable with the ball in his hands. He also has some athleticism that jumps out — which could make Jones a potential weapon for the Badgers in transition. His strength needs to improve, and shooting is certainly a question mark for a Jones, but his versatility makes this an intriguing pickup with plenty of upside.
Recruiting Grade: B-
3-Star Center: Will Garlock
Will Garlock is a 7-foot in-state center from Middleton who chose the Badgers over offers from Marquette, Iowa, Penn State, and Virginia Tech.
The four-star big man ranks as the No. 239 overall player in the class of 2025, the No. 41 center, and the No. 7 player in Wisconsin, according to the 247Sports composite.
As a junior, Garlock led Middleton High School with 16.9 points per game on 66.5% shooting from the floor and 31.2% from beyond the arc, added 8.5 rebounds, and chipped in 2.4 assists, earning first-team All-Big Eight honors and honorable mention all-state recognition.
“We are happy to have Will joining our Badger family," said Gard. "Growing up as a hometown kid located in our backyard, wearing the Wisconsin jersey, and being a part of this program means a lot to Will. He has a lot of potential and we see him fitting into our long line of successful big men here at Wisconsin. Will has the size and the athleticism to compete at a high level, and he will fit right in with our style of play and with how the college game has evolved in recent years. Coming off an injury last season, we are excited to watch Will continue to keep trending towards his immense potential.
"Our staff is eagerly waiting to start helping Will develop into a really good front-line addition.”
Badgernotes Scouting Report:
I have a few thoughts on Will Garlock’s signing that might come across as critical, but I can assure you they're not.
I don’t envision Garlock developing into a multi-year starter for Wisconsin, but he’s a big-time pickup for a number of reasons. Since Chris Vogt graduated, the Badgers have had a glaring need for a physical, rim-protecting big man off the bench—someone who can hold their own in the paint and match up against opposing frontcourts. I believe Garlock could fill that role perfectly. In fact, I think he’s much more mobile than Vogt, which adds even more value to what he can bring to this program.
You can watch his HUDL film here.
As a true 7-footer, it’s rare to see a center with Garlock’s size move as well laterally as he does. He’s not a Joe Hedstrom-type of prospect—Garlock isn't a stiff. Garlock is a fluid athlete for his size, and his athleticism and post-defense could earn him rotational minutes early in his career. Over time, Garlock has the potential to become an impact big in an enforcer role, much like Greg Stiemsma back in the day. If Garlock can develop a more reliable jump shot or expand his offensive game, that’s just a bonus.
Recruiting Grade: B-