Wisconsin Basketball Transfer AJ Storr Linked to Some Heavy Hitters in the Portal

In the least surprising outcome of all time, AJ Storr, the standout small forward for the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team, has entered the transfer portal merely two days after declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft.

While Storr hinted on social media that the NBA scouts might be sleeping on him, the fact of the matter is that exploring NIL opportunities was the most sensible path for him to take — and nobody should hold it against him.

NBA💆🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/os9k9crmif

— Aj storr (@storr_aj) March 28, 2024

Storr led the Badgers in scoring this past season, averaging 16.8 points per game while grabbing 3.9 rebounds per contest. He shot 43% from the field while shouldering a gaudy 29.7% usage rating, per T-Rank. In short, the price tag went up—and thanks to the principles of free-market capitalism, Storr’s in the driver’s seat to make the best choice for himself — and his loved ones.

However, it’s worth mentioning that a recruiting insider at 247Sports has already made a crystal ball prediction suggesting that the Rockford native might choose to join his home state team, the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Our sources have indicated that Ole Miss and Kansas are some of the early favorites to land the Wisconsin basketball standout, but the situation is fluid. Should Storr play at a different college next season, it’ll be the seventh school he’s played at in as many seasons.

Sensing a pattern with AJ Storr https://t.co/PcE0Wh80AP pic.twitter.com/3XW7IVkZSn

— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) March 28, 2024

Wisconsin Basketball Guard AJ Storr Well-Positioned to Secure an NIL Bag

Before the boo-birds come out in full force, context matters. Storr’s entry into the portal was simply a logical way of hedging his bet. With Storr navigating the NBA Draft process and fielding offers, Greg Gard has no choice but to dip into the portal and begin recruiting to fill his spot.

This way, both sides are protected. Storr can keep his options open and seek feedback from the league while vetting NIL offers from his laundry list of potential suitors — without losing his spot entirely. In turn, Wisconsin basketball regains a scholarship spot to begin searching for an experienced “3” to replace him if he does choose to move on from the Badgers.

None of this means that Storr will or won’t return to the Wisconsin basketball program next season. His status is in limbo — but this decision to enter the transfer portal isn’t “because of Gard coming back,” as so many have already suggested. 

“To the incredible fans of the Wisconsin Badgers, as I sit down to write this message, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the University of Wisconsin,” Storr wrote. “This journey as a student athlete has been one of the most profound experiences of my life. The unwavering support, guidance, and opportunities I’ve received from this community have been truly amazing.

“Joining this program under Coach Gard has been a dream come true.”

Storr’s stint with the Wisconsin basketball program proved mutually beneficial, even if it lasted only one season. He’s well within his right to leave no stone unturned in the transfer portal, and if this is goodbye, I wish him well and thank him for his contributions to the Badgers.

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