Wisconsin men's basketball signs 2026 New Zealand guard Jackson Ball
New Zealand guard Jackson Ball officially signs with the Wisconsin men's basketball program as the second member of the Badgers' 2026 recruiting class.
Wisconsin men’s basketball added another major piece to its international pipeline, officially signing New Zealand guard Jackson Ball as the second member of the Badgers’ 2026 recruiting class.
And if you’re sensing a theme, you’re right. Wisconsin didn’t just add another talented international prospect — they capitalized on a very real connection that most college programs simply don’t have. Unlike many overseas recruitments that require navigating agents and multiple layers of representation, the Badgers staff was in a far more direct lane here.
Because of a longstanding relationship that former special assistant to the head coach Kirk Penney had with Ball’s father in New Zealand, Greg Gard and his staff entered this recruitment with a level of trust and access that you almost never get when recruiting international prospects. It made the entire process far more straightforward than it usually is.
“We are ecstatic to have Jackson as a Wisconsin Badger,” Gard said. “He is a special talent that will fit extremely well in our program both on and off the court. His size, physicality, and toughness in our system will be a great asset for our future. He also brings successful worldwide basketball experience to our team from his time on New Zealand’s national team that will be extremely valuable for a quick transition to the college game.
“We are looking forward to getting to work with Jackson when he gets to Madison next summer.”
Ball arrives with more big-stage experience than most high school prospects. He played alongside Wisconsin freshman Hayden Jones at the FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup this past summer, helping lead New Zealand to a fourth-place finish, the best result in the country’s history.
The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 9.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.4 rebounds, and showed he could hold his own against elite global competition.
That wasn’t his only stint in international play.
Ball also represented New Zealand at the 2024 FIBA U-17 World Cup, the 2023 FIBA U-16 Asian Championships, and even cracked the New Zealand senior national team, becoming the third-youngest player ever to suit up for the Tall Blacks. That’s the kind of résumé that usually takes players much longer to build, and Ball put it together before turning 18.
He will also join Wisconsin with more high-level experience than most prospects his age. At 17, he’s already begun playing professionally for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s NBL. Before that, Ball averaged 20.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists with the Hawke’s Bay Hawks in New Zealand’s NBL, showing he could hold his own against older competition.
In other words, this isn’t your typical high school signee. This is a mature, battle-tested guard stepping into the college game with a head start.
On film, Ball shows a natural feel for reading the floor, allowing him to create shots for both himself and his teammates in pick-and-roll situations and out in transition. He does a nice job of getting to his spots on the floor, can get downhill, and finishes strong around the rim.
His 3-point shooting ability stands out. Ball has a quick, repeatable release with minimal wasted motion, making him a constant threat to knock one down from the perimeter. Ball has strong positional size for a combo guard and plays with a competitive edge that you want to see.
Ball already shows flashes of being able to beat you at all three levels, which fits perfectly with how Wisconsin men’s basketball wants to play.
Given the direction that college basketball is trending, and the way Wisconsin’s staff has leaned into a more European-style ball-screen offense built on spacing, pick-and-roll reads, and dribble penetration, Ball checks a lot of boxes for what this staff wants. His feel, skill level, and ability to operate in those concepts make him an especially natural fit for the foundation that the Badgers are trying to continue building upon.
Ball joins fellow 2026 signee LaTrevion Fenderson, giving Wisconsin a two-man class that blends homegrown toughness with high-level international experience. It also marks the second time in as many seasons that the Badgers have landed a guard from New Zealand, thanks to Penney, who helped bridge that connection during his time on staff.
Even in the transfer portal era, Wisconsin has remained committed to a roster-building model that prioritizes identifying fit, maturity, and long-term developmental upside. Ball hits the traits this staff prioritizes in the backcourt. He’s physical, he’s experienced, and he’s already played in environments where toughness, structure, and accountability are the standard.
There’s a high level of skill here for an international prospect, and it gives him a chance to contribute the moment he steps on campus.
Signing Ball now gives Wisconsin another exciting backcourt piece for the future and serves as a reminder that this staff is fully committed to pursuing talent wherever the opportunities may arise. The Badgers are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to finding players who fit their offensive identity and who they believe can help this program win games.
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Maybe LF can find offensive linemen or a field goal kicker on the internationally recognized New Zealand rugby team ?
Love it...and to think he's not from Minnesota...