Wisconsin Basketball Targeting Coveted Big Man in the Transfer Portal

Wisconsin Badgers head basketball coach Greg Gard and Chucky Hepburn have some major recruiting to do in the transfer portal because the latest name of interest has strong ties to the starting point guard.

A source shared with Badgernotes.com that there’s interest from the Badgers in William Kyle III, the standout forward from the South Dakota State Jackrabbits who earned First-Team All-Summit League honors. He’s also heard from Nebraska, Kansas, Florida, Iowa State, LSU, and countless others. 

“First and foremost, I would like to thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to play the game I love at a level I didn’t envision possible a few years ago,” Kyle wrote. “I would also like to extend my gratitude to South Dakota State for the experiences and opportunities provided during my time as a student-athlete. The support from the coaching staff, my teammates and fans has been remarkable and has greatly contributed to my personal growth.

“However, after much consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal. I will forever cherish the memories and friendships I’ve made at South Dakota State and will always be grateful for all the love and support received from the Jackrabbit community.”

pic.twitter.com/ewrDl1TZeA

— William Kyle lll (@WilliamKyleIII) March 25, 2024

The Wisconsin basketball transfer target will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.

Wisconsin Basketball Contacts William Kyle III

Coach Gard knows that the Wisconsin basketball program needs to add a viable starting big man in the transfer portal to replace Tyler Wahl this offseason. William Kyle III is a dynamic talent who could do just that.

Kyle, a former Bellvue West standout, is 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 230 pounds. Kyle is coming off a fantastic sophomore season for the Jackrabbits, during which he averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks while being one of the nation’s top low-post finishers (62.3).

The Nebraska native, who played on the same high school basketball team as Hepburn and fellow Wisconsin Badgers transfer portal target, Frankie Fidler, appeared in all 67 games for South Dakota State over the past two seasons and started 49 of them.

From Frankie Fidler’s Instagram story; he and Chucky Hepburn who played together in Nebraska.

Fidler is in the portal after a first-team All-Summit League season at Nebraska-Omaha in which he scored 20.1 points per game. #Badgers pic.twitter.com/9PM45fv9iR

— Kedrick Stumbris (@KedrickStumbris) March 24, 2024

Notably, this target wouldn’t command high-volume shot attempts for Wisconsin basketball and would fit right in. Per HoopMath, 69.6% of Kyle’s shots come from inside the paint, scoring at a 68.8% clip.

Further, Synergy data shows that Kyle averages 1.070 points per possession in the half-court, which is in the 91st percentile nationally and could be a potential cure for all the Badgers missed bunnies.

It’s no secret that the Wisconsin basketball program would love to find a way to reunite Hepburn, Fidler, and Kyle, recognizing how well they fit the Badgers’ needs this offseason. Another aspect of Kyle’s game that would provide a boost comes from his interior defensive presence.

Because the Badgers don’t have a clear heir apparent ready to assume the starting role at the four, adding a proven option in the transfer portal is a must.

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