The Badgers currently have a player projected to be taken in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Wisconsin Badgers saw one of their players drafted in the 2025 NBA Draft last week, as John Tonje went to the Utah Jazz with the No. 53 overall pick.
It was the first time in three years that the Badgers had a selection in the draft, with Johnny Davis being the last draftee, going No. 10 to the Washington Wizards in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Tonje, a breakout star for the Badgers in 2025, was expected to go in the second round, finding his home with the Jazz perhaps a little later than expected. Nonetheless, it was a good sign for the Badgers, as they’ve now showcased the ability to develop wings at a high level in their new offense.
While Wisconsin has had its fair share of players in the NBA, they haven’t had back-to-back draft picks in nearly 40 years, with the last coming in 1986 and 1987.
That could change this upcoming year, however, as Wisconsin actually has a player projected to be taken in what is expected to be a loaded 2026 NBA Draft. Only, it’s not the player you’d expect.
ESPN recently did their way-too-early 2026 NBA Mock Draft, with some of the top high school recruits in the 2025 class filling out the Top 10. However, there was a notable name at No. 53 on their big board: forward Nolan Winter.
Winter, who will be a junior this season, had a strong sophomore year, averaging 9.4 points and 5.8 rebounds a game, while shooting a blistering 56.4 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three.
He quickly ascended to Wisconsin’s power forward spot ahead of the season, and became a strong fit in the offense with his rim-running ability off screens and pick-and-pop prowess with the threes.
Winter didn’t have the biggest role last season, as Wisconsin operated with a two-big lineup between him and Steven Crowl, leading to one of them sitting for a smaller power forward at times.
But, he’s back at Wisconsin after signing a new NIL deal in the offseason, and is expected to take on a bigger role as the team’s starting center, where he can show some of his versatility as a stretch five.
Nowadays, with NIL being prominent, the back half of NBA drafts aren’t as strong, with many players elected to stay an extra year in college to earn more compensation. That could propel Winter into the 2026 NBA Draft conversation with a strong season, giving the Badgers a chance to reach a feat for the first time in nearly 40 years.