Wisconsin men's basketball staff taking a closer look at 2026 in-state forward
Wisconsin men’s basketball is keeping a close eye on in-state 2026 forward Zavier Zens after a breakout junior year and a wave of recruiting interest this spring.
The University of Wisconsin men's basketball staff has taken notice of a rising in-state prospect in the 2026 class—someone who’s gaining traction on the AAU circuit after a breakout junior season.
That player is Zavier Zens, a 6-foot-7 small forward from Wisconsin Lutheran who’s quietly becoming one of the more intriguing names on the recruiting board.
He’s not just producing at a high level—he’s doing it efficiently, consistently, and in big moments. And yes, Greg Gard and his coaching staff are paying attention.
Zens, who plays alongside Badgers commit LaTrevion Fenderson for the Wisconsin Playground Club, was among the players the staff went to see during last weekend’s live evaluation period.
Unfortunately, they caught him on a tough day. But to Zens’ credit, he bounced back with a pair of strong performances each of the next two days. The catch? The Badgers weren’t there to see them.
Still, that hasn’t cooled their interest.
Assistant coach Shareef Chambliss, who has taken the lead recruiting in-state prospects, has remained in close contact, and the plan is for Wisconsin to take a longer look during the program’s advanced camp in June. Wisconsin Lutheran will also be participating in the Badgers’ team camp later that month, giving the staff two more opportunities to evaluate Zens in person before deciding whether to extend an offer and ramp up their collective pursuit.
The interest makes sense.
Zens was a driving force behind Wisconsin Lutheran’s state title run this past season, averaging 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game as a junior. He shot 51.1% from beyond the arc, was named WBCA Division 1 All-State, and took home Woodland West Conference Player of the Year honors. His efficiency was off the charts—Zens had an effective field goal percentage of 75.9% this past season despite taking nearly three times as many shots as the year prior alongside Duke star Kon Knueppel — who is now NBA bound.
And Zens finished the season on a high note, leading Wisconsin Lutheran in scoring with 22 points in the state semifinal win over Oshkosh North and 19 more in the state title win over Marshfield—shooting 62.9% from the field during that two-game stretch at the Kohl Center.
As it stands, Zens holds mid-major offers from programs like Toledo, Green Bay, Drake, Wyoming, Miami (OH), Bradley, St. Thomas, and Stetson. St. Louis, Western Michigan, North Dakota State, and several other Big Ten schools have also started to show interest in Zens during the spring.
For Wisconsin, Zens—currently unranked heading into his senior year—is an intriguing evaluation: a long, skilled, high-IQ forward who checks a lot of the program’s traditional boxes. And with more eyes on him this summer, that ranking could soon change and lead to bigger offers from the Power 4.
And while his family ties might lean toward Marquette, there’s a growing sense that Zens’ game—and personality—might be an even better fit in Madison with coach Gard's offense. Those close to him believe Zens would cherish the chance to wear red and white if it came.
And that’s exactly what Wisconsin is looking for when it comes to high school recruiting. While the program has made a noticeable push internationally, it’s clear the staff is also doubling down on in-state talent because, in today’s NIL and transfer portal era, development, continuity, and retention matter more than ever.
There’s no guarantee an offer is coming for Zens, but his game is polished, he shoots it at a high level, plays with energy, and he’s well-rounded. That makes him a name to keep a close eye on.
The Badgers hold verbal commitments from Fenderson and New Zealand guard Jackson Ball in the 2026 class. In-state forward Vaughn Karvala and point guard Dezhon Hall remain high on Wisconsin’s wish list, as the staff continues to prioritize talent with skill and upside. But Zens is someone they’re continuing to evaluate closely. The next few months could go a long way in determining just how serious the pursuit becomes.
For now, Zens remains a name worth watching—and a prospect whose best basketball may still be ahead of him.
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