The Wisconsin men’s basketball team secured a commitment from class of 2025 shooting guard Hayden Jones on Thursday.
Jones becomes the third class of 2025 prospect to pledge his commitment to Greg Gard’s Badgers, joining four-star De Pere, Wisconsin, native Zach Kinziger and three-star Middleton, Wisconsin, native Will Garlock.
The 6-foot-5 Jones does his hardwood damage in New Zealand. The wing recently averaged 11.6 points per appearance for the country at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey. At 17 years old, he became the fourth-youngest player to debut for the senior national team.
Jones also registered 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists for New Zealand during its runner-up finish at the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Qatar.
The swingman represents the Nelson Giants of the New Zealand National Basketball League.
100% committed. Thanks to coach Gard and the staff at Wisconsin for this awesome opportunity. Looking forward to being part of the Badger family!@BadgerMBB @PCGJ13 pic.twitter.com/UR6HfuSX8t
— Hayden Jones (@HaydenJonesNZ) July 25, 2024
Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks No. 6 in the nation, bolstered by Jones’ commitment.
The international signing personifies a new era of Wisconsin’s recruiting efforts. Given the improving talent pool overseas, Greg Gard and his staff have dedicated more time and resources to international scouting that they had in the past. The first result of that initiative was the addition of Serbian center Andrija Vukovic. Jones is the next in what figures to be a long line of international additions by the program.