Ben Kenney
April 22, 2024 7:37 am CT
The Wisconsin basketball program has been hit hard by the transfer portal since the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
Eight players have entered thus far, headlined by star point guard Chucky Hepburn.
Related:An updated list of Wisconsin basketball’s transfer portal targets
Greg Gard’s team must regroup as the transfer portal season continues. The 2024-25 Badgers have lost three starters from the 2023-24 team: Hepburn, A.J. Storr and Tyler Wahl. Those three players accounted for a combined 90.5 minutes, 36.6 points, 12.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists, largely driving the team to its 22-14 record.
The Badgers are reportedly after some of the transfer portal’s top players. The team expects a boost from top class of 2024 point guard Daniel Freitag, but a few veteran additions are necessary. As Gard focuses on retooling the roster, the eight departed Badgers are in search of new landing spots.
Here is a look at those players and where they will play in 2024-25:
G Connor Essegian — NEBRASKA
Feb. 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers guard Connor Essegian (3) shoots a three-pointer during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at the Kohl Center. Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Class:Junior
2023-24 Stats:7.3 minutes, 3.2 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.1 steals, 38% shooting, 30% from 3.
Essegian committed to Nebraska on Sunday, April 21. He joins a program that made its first NCAA Tournament since 2014 in 2023-24. It is a program on the rise under head coach Fred Hoiberg and one where Essegian is sure to play a bigger role than he had at Wisconsin.
G Ross Candelino
Dec. 30, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers guard Ross Candelino, front, celebrates a three-pointer by Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (not shown) during the second half at the Kohl Center. Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Class:Sophom*ore
2023-24 Stats:Did not appear in a game
Candelino is one of the several former Badgers yet to find a new landing spot. He joined Wisconsin as a walk-on ahead of the 2022-23 season. After not appearing in a game in 2023-24, he’s sure to be looking for a place with consistent playing time.
G Luke Haertle
Wisconsin guard Luke Haertle (12) looks to make a pass during the second half of their game Monday, November 27, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Western Illinois 71-49. Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY NETWORK
Class:Sophom*ore
2023-24 Stats:11 games, 11 minutes played, one field goal attempt, two rebounds
Haertle, like Candelino, is yet to find a transfer destination. He also joined the Badgers as a walk-on prior to the 2022-23 season. He and Candelino may be looking for a Division III program with available playing time.
G A.J. Storr — KANSAS
Dec. 9, 2023; Tucson, Arizona; Wisconsin Badgers guard AJ Storr (2) shoots a basket against Arizona Wildcats forward Keshad Johnson (16) during the first half at McKale Center. Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
Class:Junior
2023-24 Stats:28.8 minutes, 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.6 steals on 48% shooting and 32% from 3
Storr committed to Kansas last week, joining one of the top programs in the sport. The new school is Storr’s seventh in as many years, however. His departure from Wisconsin shouldn’t be viewed as much of a surprise.
F Gus Yalden — SETON HALL
Asheville School’s Gus Yalden tries to get closer to the hoop in the game against Asheville Christian Academy Jan. 19, 2022. Angela Wilhelm/USA TODAY NETWORK-USA TODAY NETWORK
Class:Freshman
2023-24 Stats: Did not play (redshirt)
Yalden entered Wisconsin as a promising class of 2023 recruit. That did not materialize, as the young forward fell out of favor with the Badgers coaching staff. There have not been any rumblings on where he could transfer to.
G Isaac Lindsey — SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
Wisconsin guard Isaac Lindsey (10) shoots over Nebraska guard Cale Jacobsen (31) during the second half of their game Saturday, January 6, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Nebraska 88-72. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Class:Senior
2023-24 Stats:3.7 minutes, 0.6 points, 0.4 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 0.1 steals on 30% shooting
Lindsey entered the transfer portal this offseason after three years at Wisconsin, that after one at UNLV. He never cracked the regular rotation. But he did see the court in spurts throughout the season.
He joins a South Dakota State program that went 22-13 in 2023-24 and made the NCAA Tournament.
G Chucky Hepburn — LOUISVILLE
March 22, 2024; Brooklyn, New York; Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn (23) drives to the basket against James Madison Dukes guard Xavier Brown (0) during the second half at Barclays Center. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Class:Senior
2023-24 Stats:33.3 minutes, 9.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals on 51% shooting
Hepburn was the most surprising of Wisconsin’s portal entrants. He departs after three decorated seasons starting at point guard for Greg Gard’s team, and he leaves a gigantic void of leadership and production.
His transfer signals the harsh reality of the current age of college basketball. Hepburn seemed to be a Badger staple but will play elsewhere for his final season of eligibility.
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