Wisconsin basketball did something on Friday that they very rarely do in offering a 2023 prospect in July of 2020. The Badgers have taken a slower, methodical approach to recruiting in the Greg Gard era, and that approach has paid off in 2020 and 2021 with a number of four-star prospects. Any norms were thrown out the window for 2023 PF Gus Yalden on Friday, as he became the first Badger offer in the class of 2023.
Versatile 2023 Forward is Racking up High Major Offers! Maryland, Nebraska, Iowa, Florida St, and Wisconsin all offered in the last three days! @gusbus2023 pic.twitter.com/p5nAqmvRX7
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 10, 2020
Yalden is a Wisconsin native who moved to North Carolina to play his high school basketball, and he has been blowing up on the recruiting trail this summer. Maryland, Florida State, Iowa, Indiana and other high major programs have offered early, and Wisconsin felt the need to jump in at this stage in order to try and land one of the most skilled bigs in the 2023 class. Even Yalden himself was somewhat shocked that the Badgers went against their usual playbook and offered this week during a Zoom call with Head Coach Greg Gard.
“The Zoom call was awesome and really special,” Yalden told BadgersWire. “I mean it’s not like they give [offers] out to players at this stage of development very often so I’m super flattered and kind of in shock, but so excited.”
What type of player would make Wisconsin pull the trigger this early? Here is how Yalden describes himself: “I just love the game and I hope it shows when people watch me play. I’m competitive and hate to lose! I am an inside out big and I can also push it up the floor off a rebound because I can handle and see the floor. Also, I am going to hit a guy when he is open for that easy bucket.”
Craftin between temp checks https://t.co/tYwc7QVwmo
— gusbus (@gusbus2023) July 9, 2020
He also has had a fantastic start to the summer with Wisconsin Playground Club on the AAU circuit, which has only added to the long list of teams vying for his services at the next level. The 6-8, versatile big could be a major piece for Wisconsin as they look to build the 2023 class. Offering this early should tell Badger fans and Yalden that he is a priority for Greg Gard and the Badgers staff.