Badgers starter is heading to the SEC

The Wisconsin Badgers got some surprising news earlier this offseason, as starting freshman forward/center Aleksas Bieliauskas announced he’d enter the transfer portal.

It was unexpected, as the Badgers wanted Bieliauskas back in the fold to have a strong frontcourt in 2026 with Nolan Winter, Austin Rapp, and Will Garlock, but unfortunately, the financials couldn’t match, and the freshman elected to head elsewhere.

The 6’10, 240-pound big man averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds this season, while playing in 20.2 minutes per game. But he grew significantly as the season went along, getting comfortable as a shooter (34.6 percent from three), while improving defensively as well.

Well, Bieliauskas has found a new home: the South Carolina Gamecocks, according to his agency Gersh Sports. It’s an interesting fit under head coach Lamont Paris, as South Carolina was the worst rebounding team in the SEC this season, going 13-19 on the year.

He should carve out a bigger role on a Gamecocks team in need of size. Overall, Bieliauskas was ranked the No. 65 transfer in the portal by 247Sports.

The big was one of four Badgers to enter the transfer portal so far this season, joining John Blackwell, Jack Robison, and Riccardo Greppi.