The Wisconsin Badgers have undergone a major roster overhaul this offseason, and head coach Greg Gard couldn't be more excited about the transformation. After losing key guards Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, the program aggressively targeted both the international market and the transfer portal to reload with experienced talent.
The biggest splash came early, when Australian point guard Owen Foxwell committed to the Badgers. At 22 years old, Foxwell brings starting experience from the NBL—Australia's top professional league—and a maturity that Gard believes will be invaluable. But the Badgers didn't stop there. The additions of guard Trey Autry, wing Eian Elmer, and forward Victory Onuetu have rounded out a group that Gard expects to make an immediate impact in the rotation.
"On paper, I love it," Gard told reporters earlier this month, his enthusiasm evident. "We're going to see what it looks like in real life together, but I think you start with a point guard that is tremendous in Owen Foxwell. To have somebody of that maturity, that size, that experience, at that age, to come in as a seasoned, grizzled veteran point guard who has played against exceptional talent in Australia—he comes highly, highly recommended from our sources down there."
Gard then highlighted what the three portal additions bring to the table. "Victory, Trey, and Eian—you add experience, you add size, you add shooting, you add shot blocking, you add athleticism. That was what we wanted to address."
Perhaps most importantly, the Badgers retained a strong core. With Aussie Austin Rapp, Nolan, Jack Janicki, Hayden Jones, Zach Kinzinger, and Garlock all returning, Wisconsin has a foundation that Gard believes can compete at a high level.
"You have that core foundation return, and then you add the exciting pieces that have experience coming in around them—and I haven't even gotten to the freshmen yet," Gard added. "It's an exciting group as we put it together."
What makes Foxwell's arrival particularly intriguing is his style of play. Unlike Nick Boyd, Foxwell is more of a pass-first point guard, known for his ability to slash to the basket and create opportunities for teammates. For a team looking to build chemistry and flow, that unselfish approach could be the key that unlocks the Badgers' full potential this season.