Wisconsin basketball’s 2026-27 projected starters, reserves include many newcomers

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Wisconsin basketball’s 2026-27 projected starters, reserves include many newcomers

John Steppe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Mon, November 2, 2026 at 5:33 PM UTC ·

4 min read

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MADISON – Wisconsin men's basketball is starting the 2026-27 season with some familiar and not-so-familiar faces.

The Badgers have eight newcomers and seven returning players. Key returners include Nolan Winter , Austin Rapp and Jack Janicki, and UW fans soon will get their official introduction to offseason additions such as Owen Foxwell, Eian Elmer and others.

Here is a look at who could potentially start or have key roles off the bench for the Badgers:

Wisconsin guard Owen Foxwell (15) is fouled by UW-Green Bay guard guard Mac Wrecke (4) during the first half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Braeden Carrington (1) is fouled by UW-Green Bay guard Mac Wrecke (4) during the second half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

UW-Green Bay guard Clarence Payia (23) fouls Wisconsin guard Braeden Carrington (1) during the second half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Eian Elmer (55) scores during the second half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Zach Kinziger (4) is guarded by UW-Green Bay guard LeBron Thomas (22) during the second half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Injured Wisconsin guard Josh Manchester, second from right, and guard LaTrevion Fenderson, right, cheer during the second half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Eian Elmer (55) drives around UW-Green Bay guard/forward Ne'quan Brown (7) during the second half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard talks with guard Hayden Jones (13) during the second half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

UW-Green Bay guard LeBron Thomas (22) fouls Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter (31) during the second half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin forward Victory Onuetu (6) and UW-Green Bay guard Clarence Payia (23) vie for a rebound during the first half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Owen Foxwell (15) makes a mo0ve on UW-Green Bay guard Ahmere Carson (2) during the first half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Braeden Carrington (1) fouls UW-Green Bay guard LeBron Thomas (22) during the first half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin forward Will Garlock (23) finds an open teammate while being guarded by UW-Green Bay forward Tadej Colnaric (33) during the first half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Eian Elmer (55) is guarded by UW-Green Bay guard Mac Wrecke (4) during the first half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Braeden Carrington (1) drives to the basket during the first half of their preseason game against UW-Green Bay Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter (31) takes a shot during the first half of their preseason game against UW-Green Bay Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Owen Foxwell (15) draws foul by UW-Green Bay forward Henry Gruetzmacher (31) during the first half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin associate head coach Joe Krabbenhoft yells after guard Trey Autry (0) was assessed a technical foul during the first half of their preseason game against UW-Green Bay Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Owen Foxwell (15) heads downcourt on a fast break during the first half of their preseason game against UW-Green Bay Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin guard Jackson Ball (9) and UW-Green Bay guard Ahmere Carson (2) vie for a rebound during the first half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard talks with guard Owen Foxwell (15) during the second half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin associate head coach Joe Krabbenhoft talks with forward Austin Rapp during the second half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

UWGreen Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb its shown during the second half of their preseason game against Wisconsin Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard is shown during the second half of their preseason game against UW-Green BayThursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Green Bay 96-77.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

UW-Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb talks to his team during the first half of their preseason game against Wisconsin Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

UW-Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb is shown during the first half of their preseason game against Wisconsin Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Projected starters

15 Owen Foxwell (6-foot-2, fifth year, G):Foxwell joined the Badgers after five years in Australia's National Basketball League with the South East Melbourne Phoenix. He has shown a playmaking prowess in practices and exhibitions that could make a big difference as UW's starting point guard.

5 Jack Janicki (6-5, Sr., G):UW coach Greg Gard heavily praised Janicki last year as the Badgers' "defensive catalyst." The fourth-year guard started in all three exhibitions and could play a major part in UW's re-embrace of the defensive side of the court .

55 Eian Elmer (6-6, Sr., G):Elmer, a native of Covington, Kentucky, shot 42.9% from 3-point range on a Miami (Ohio) team that won 32 games in 2026-27. He will be a key player on a Wisconsin team that lost three of its five players with 100-plus 3-point attempts in 2025-26.

31 Nolan Winter (7-0, Sr. F):Winter is the Badgers' top returning scorer and rebounder. His 12 double-doubles in 2025-26 were tied for second-most in the Big Ten. He earned a spot on the Big Ten's all-conference preseason team ahead of 2026-27.

6 Victory Onuetu (6-11, Sr., F):Onuetu could provide a much-needed presence at the rim after a productive first season of college basketball at Hofstra. The Spanish native had the 88th-best block rate in the country at 6.7%, per KenPom.com, and the ninth-highest offensive rebounding rate in the country at 17.2%.

Wisconsin forward Victory Onuetu (6) is pursued by UW-Green Bay forward Tadej Colnaric (33) during the first half of their preseason game Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Key reserves

22 Austin Rapp (6-10, Jr., F):Rapp provided timely 3-point shooting on many occasions in his first season with the Badgers. That included the former Portland transfer's six consecutive 3-pointers against Michigan in the Big Ten tournament semifinals. He missed much of the offseason as he recovered from a knee injury.

23 Will Garlock (7-0, So., F):The Middleton native appeared in 30 games as a freshman for the Badgers and averaged 1.1 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. Garlock has shown major strides since then in summer and preseason practices that have been open to media.

0 Trey Autry (6-4, Sr., G):Autry transferred to UW after averaging 11 points per game and shooting 38.5% from 3-point range in his third season with George Washington. He averaged 5.3 points in UW's three exhibitions. He is the son of Adrian Autry, the current Virginia assistant coach and former Syracuse head coach.

1 Braeden Carrington (6-5, fifth year, G):Carrington remains eligible to play after a California judge granted a preliminary injunction favoring him and the other plaintiffs in his lawsuit against the NCAA. In the Minnesota/Tulsa transfer's previous season with the Badgers, he shot 40.2% from 3-point range and set the UW single-game record for 3-pointers made .

4 Zach Kinziger (6-3, So., G):Kinziger is coming off a freshman season with 16 appearances, including a 6-point performance against Penn State and a 4-assist showing in 7 minutes against Maryland. The De Pere native showed notable improvement in the Badgers' summer and preseason practices and could be UW's top backup point guard in 2026-27.

9 Jackson Ball (6-5, Fr., G):Ball is starting his college basketball career after averaging 20.9 points per game in New Zealand's National Basketball League. He has starred on the international stage, most recently helping New Zealand win a bronze medal at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup while earning all-tournament recognition.

13 Hayden Jones (6-6, So., G):Jones averaged 1.7 points and 1.0 rebounds in 7.2 minutes per game as a freshman for the Badgers. One of his best performances was at Ohio State, where he recorded 6 points on 3-of-4 shooting and 4 rebounds while stepping up after Janicki's wrist injury.

11 Isaac Riddle (6-8, Fr., F):Riddle joined the Badgers from Australia, where he was on the teams that won gold medals at the 2023 FIBA U16 Asia Cup and 2026 FIBA U18 Asia Cup. He played briefly in all three exhibitions.

Not expected to play in 2026-27

2 Josh Manchester (6-4, Fr., G):Manchester, a Mount Horeb native, is expected to miss the entirety of the 2026-27 season after suffering a shoulder injury in a preseason practice and subsequently undergoing surgery. He finished his high school career with the 10th-most points in state history.

3 LaTrevion Fenderson (6-3, Fr., G):Fenderson committed to the Badgers as one of the top-rated recruits in the state of Wisconsin. He is academically ineligible in 2026-27 because his high school coursework did not meet NCAA guidelines for initial eligibility.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin basketball's 2026-27 projected starters, reserves include many newcomers

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Wisconsin basketball’s 2026-27 projected starters, reserves include many newcomers

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Photos: Wisconsin vs. UW- Green Bay preseason men's basketball

Projected starters

Key reserves

Not expected to play in 2026-27