Ben Kenney
March 25, 2024 7:06 am CT
The college basketball transfer portal is open — evinced by Wisconsin Badgers fans seeing fan-favorite guard Connor Essegian enter.
Whether the sport should have its portal window open after the conference tournaments and before March Madness begins is a legitimate question. But now that it is open, the chaos of a modern college basketball offseason can ensue.
Related: If Wisconsin decides to move on from Greg Gard, who could it target as its next head coach?
The Badgers are already reportedly after some of the top players in the portal, including forward Mikeal Brown-Jones and forward Frankie Fidler. While there will be inevitable losses, head coach Greg Gard hopes to exit the portal window with a net positive.
Wisconsin will need a productive portal offseason before Gard enters 2024-25 firmly on the hot seat. He brought in a productive class last year with the addition of former St. John’s guard A.J. Storr. This offseason will need something similar, as the Badgers enter 2024-25 needing to snap their seven-year Sweet 16 drought.
With the portal open and activity everywhere, here is an ongoing tracker for all of Wisconsin’s incoming and outgoing transfers:
(Last updated: March 28, 2024 with the addition of A.J. Storr)
OUT: G Connor Essegian
Connor Essegian #3 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after a made three point shot by Steven Crowl during the first half of the game at Kohl Center on March 14, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. John Fisher/Getty Images
2023-24 Averages: 7.3 minutes, 3.2 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.1 steals, 38% shooting, 30% from 3
Essegian enters the portal after a disappointing second season. His minutes, points and shooting were all way down from his breakout freshman season. He fell mostly out of the primary rotation with the breakout of freshman John Blackwell and addition of star guard A.J. Storr.
The sharpshooter should garner plenty of interest with several years of eligibility remaining.
Badger Nation thank you❤️ pic.twitter.com/0xRycl0b67
— Connor Essegian (@CEssegian) March 25, 2024
OUT: 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
2023-24 Averages: Did not appear in a game
Candelino joined the program as a walk-on ahead of the 2022-23 season. The Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, native was unranked by 247Sports coming out of high school and did not have any major conference offers. He did not appear in a game during the 2023-24 season.
Wisconsin G Ross Candelino has entered the transfer portal. https://t.co/BtLqk1I2oD
— Verbal Commits (@VerbalCommits) March 25, 2024
OUT: G Luke Haertle
Nov. 27, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; 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
2023-24 Totals: 11 games, 11 minutes played, one field goal attempt, two rebounds
Haertle joined the Badgers as a walk-on prior to the 2022-23 season. The Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, native was unranked on 247Sports.com and did not hold any major conference offers. He appeared in 11 games for the Badgers in 2023-24, totaling 11 total minutes, one field goal attempt and two rebounds.
Thank you Madison for the past two years! I am entering the portal with 3 years of eligibility left! pic.twitter.com/RDUne0plE7
— Luke Haertle (@LukeHaertle) March 25, 2024
OUT: G A.J. Storr
March 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Wisconsin Badgers guard AJ Storr (2) celebrates during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Target Center. Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Averages: 28.8 minutes, 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.6 steals on 48% shooting and 32% from 3.
Storr declared for the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, and he also entered the transfer portal. That means he could return to college for his final two years of eligibility if he doesn’t like his draft projection. It is at that point we’d monitor where Storr ends up.
— Aj storr (@storr_aj) March 26, 2024
OUT: F Gus Yalden
Asheville School’s Gus Yalden tries to get closer to the hoop in the game against Asheville Christian Academy on Jan. 19, 2022. Credit: Angela Wilhelm/USA TODAY NETWORK-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023-24 averages: Did not play
Yalden joined the Badgers as a four-star recruit and the No. 122 overall player in the class of 2023. The highly-touted prospect and center of fan excitement did not play for Wisconsin in 2023-24 and did not travel to road games once Big Ten play began.
Wisconsin F Gus Yalden has entered the transfer portal. https://t.co/owNGyqJKQ3
— Verbal Commits (@VerbalCommits) March 28, 2024
OUT: G Isaac Lindsey
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.
2023-24 Averages: 3.7 minutes, 0.6 points, 0.4 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 0.1 steals on 30% shooting
2023-24 was the former walk-on’s third year with the program after starting his collegiate career at UNLV. The Mineral Point, Wisconsin native scored just 10 points this past season, in addition to recording six rebounds, three assists and four steals in only 59 total minutes of action.
Wisconsin junior wing Isaac Lindsey has entered the transfer portal. The former walk-on played in 40 games the last two years for the Badgers and spent his freshman year at UNLV.
— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) April 9, 2024
OUT: G Chucky Hepburn
Mar 16, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn (23) works around Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) during the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Averages: 33.3 minutes, 9.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals on 51% shooting
NEWS: Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn has entered the transfer portal, source told ESPN. Averaged 9.2 points and 3.9 assists this past season, averaged 12.2 points and shot 40.5% from 3-point range in 2022-23. Started 103 games over the past three seasons for Greg Gard.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 18, 2024
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