Wisconsin men's basketball hosting WCC Freshman of the Year on visit

Wisconsin basketball is hosting Portland transfer Austin Rapp on an official visit as Greg Gard looks to add frontcourt depth.

Photo credit: University of Portland Athletics

Wisconsin Badgers head basketball coach Greg Gard is in the market for frontcourt reinforcements this offseason through the transfer portal, and he's zeroing in on one of the top shooting bigs available.

Portland transfer Austin Rapp, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound center from Melbourne, Australia, is actively in Madison for an official visit as the Badgers coaching staff works to rebuild their frontcourt depth.

With starting center Steven Crowl and forwards Carter Gilmore and Markus Ilver graduating, there’s plenty of production and depth for the Badgers to replace.

Rapp, who has three years of eligibility remaining, capped his season by earning West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year honors and securing a spot on the All-WCC freshman team. Rapp’s standout campaign also included six WCC Freshman of the Week awards and a University of Portland freshman record 79 three-pointers made in a single season.

He averaged 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, establishing himself as an offensive weapon on the perimeter.

“He’s been a great leader,” head coach Shantay Legans said. “When we’re out there, he helps the guys and he talks them through things. When it’s about basketball and his academics, he’s really mature. His leadership has been a plus for us because, coming in, you don’t expect too much out of a freshman. He leads by example at times, and he works really hard.”

That leadership translated into on-court production, where Rapp's shooting became the trait he could hang his hat on.

While his overall field goal percentage sat at 39.7%, Rapp's shooting from beyond the arc stands out — Rapp connected on 35.2% of his threes on high volume, averaging 7.6 attempts per game. He also shot an impressive 81.5% from the charity stripe, showcasing his shooting touch.

According to Barttorvik, Rapp recorded a 1.4 points above replacement per game mark along with a 98.0 offensive rating.

On the defensive end, Rapp demonstrated his shot-blocking ability, registering 12 games with two or more blocks and posting a 4.7% block percentage — a rate that would have led all Wisconsin players in the regular nine-man rotation.

Beyond the numbers, Rapp has earned praise for being one of the best movement shooters among bigs in the country. His ability to stretch the floor, knock down threes off the dribble, and create mismatches makes him a highly coveted prospect who would fit seamlessly in Wisconsin's offense. Multiple scouts have praised his mobility and overall fluidity.

Notably, Rapp delivered standout performances against quality competition this season, including a 24-point, four-rebound effort against Oregon State — a top-90 KenPom team — where he shot 9-of-15 from the field and knocked down five threes. Rapp added a 22-point, six-rebound showing against the Beavers on the road at Gill Coliseum. Rapp also made his presence felt against Gonzaga, scoring 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting.

Rapp’s perimeter scoring isn’t his only asset. He’s a skilled passer for his size, adding another layer to his offensive game. His vision and decision-making allow him to facilitate from the top of the key, which would fit well in Wisconsin’s inside-out approach that often utilizes its big men as playmakers.

Of note, Kirk Penney has served as the lead recruiter for Rapp.

As Wisconsin's coaching staff weighs its frontcourt options, there's still plenty of uncertainty. Nolan Winter is expected to be a cornerstone for the Badgers, but with the staff aiming to keep him primarily at the four, bringing in a reliable counterpart has become a top priority.

Winter flashed his floor-spacing ability and athleticism last season, averaging 9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on 56.4% shooting and 35.8% from beyond the arc. But some of the underlying metrics suggest he could be on the verge of something even bigger.

The Lakeville North product ranked in the 98th percentile in points per possession (1.2) and 99th percentile in transition scoring (1.64 PPP), while also grading out in the 97th percentile in post-ups and placing in the 76th percentile nationally in spot-up shooting — numbers that point to a budding star. Sure, it's fair to expect some regression with increased attempts and defensive attention. But Winter’s versatility and scoring efficiency make him a matchup nightmare. It’s hard not to see a clear path to stardom for Winter.

That said, he’ll need some help.

Xavier Amos could be part of the equation if he returns. The Northern Illinois transfer arrived in Madison with starting aspirations but ultimately settled into a reserve role, averaging 3.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in nine minutes per game.

While his shooting never quite found its rhythm, Amos' length, shooting, and athleticism still offer intriguing upside if he can take another step.

Italian center Riccardo Greppi is another name to watch. The 6-foot-10 center is still a developmental piece, with strength training being a primary focus this offseason as he looks to compete for rotational minutes. Additionally, the Badgers will welcome Middleton High School standout Will Garlock to the fold as part of their 2025 recruiting class. Garlock brings size, mobility, a rebounding presence, and some rim protection.

All that to say, adding a stretch big like Rapp would provide Wisconsin with immediate scoring and floor-spacing, adding another layer to its already efficient offensive attack. His presence on the perimeter would draw defenders away from the paint, opening up driving lanes for John Blackwell and any other guards the staff brings in through the portal.

We’ll see how things shake out following Rapp’s visit, but Wisconsin’s staff is getting more aggressive in the portal. With his size, shooting, and playmaking, Rapp’s skill set would be a natural fit in Greg Gard and Kirk Penney's offensive system. Along with targeting frontcourt help, the Badgers hosted San Diego State guard Nick Boyd, signaling their intent to address multiple areas of need on the roster this offseason.

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