Wisconsin Basketball Linked to Big Ten Forward in the Transfer Portal

The Wisconsin basketball program has been very active in the transfer portal since its early exit from the NCAA Tournament. 

Adding some frontcourt help to replace Tyler Wahl looks to be the chief concern for Greg Gard and company, as the Badgers have been linked to several forwards, including Malik Dia, Carey Booth, and William Kyle III, among many others. 

One of the latest names to pop up on the Wisconsin basketball team’s radar is Ohio State transfer Zed Key, who will have one season of eligibility remaining at his next destination. 

Ohio State transfer Zed Key tells me he’s heard from the following schools since entering the portal:

Wisconsin
Xavier
Minnesota
Boston College
Dayton
VCU
Akron
Murray State

Played in 121 games for the Buckeyes. pic.twitter.com/uizdTvr6la

— CBB Content (@CBBcontent) April 8, 2024

Wisconsin Basketball Touches Base With Ohio State Transfer Zed Key

Key was rated as a three-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, coming in as the No. 153 player in the country, the No. 23 center, and the No. 4 player in New York, according to the composite rankings. 

Key had no shortage of suitors coming out of high school, earning 29 total offers throughout his recruitment. Wisconsin basketball was heavily involved all the way up to the time he committed to Ohio State, so it’s no surprise they are getting in contact once again. 

In four seasons with the Buckeyes, the 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward averaged 7.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game while shooting 50.9% from the floor. Key started in 23 games in his sophomore and junior seasons, respectively, but he saw his role dwindle in his senior year, starting in just two games and averaging 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game off the bench. 

Wisconsin is clearly looking to improve its presence on the interior, and Key could be a good option, specifically on defense. The former Buckeye took 54.2% of his shots at the rim in his senior season, converting on 70.2% of his attempts, per HoopMath. On the defensive side, Key is a physical presence with a 4.6% block rate. 

The Wisconsin basketball program thrives on getting looks in the post, and though Key is a more well-rounded defender, he could be a suitable option for the Badgers to get some help with his physicality on the inside on both ends of the floor. 

UW has yet to add a player via the transfer portal, but the staff has done their due diligence by touching base with loads of frontcourt options in search of a Tyler Wahl replacement.

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