Wisconsin coach Greg Gard adds Gus Yalden, Nolan Winter and John Blackwell on signing day
MADISON – Wisconsin men's basketball coach Greg Gard officially announced the signing of three players for the 2023 class Wednesday – forwards Gus Yalden and Nolan Winter and guard John Blackwell.
UW is also adding guard Jack Janicki as a walk-on, but Janicki held scholarship offers from Wake Forest, Colorado State, Santa Clara, Rice and Loyola (Chicago).
Appleton native Gus Yalden coming home
Yalden, who grew up in Appleton, is playing his final high school season at La Lumiere in Indiana. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Yalden competed at the prestigious Nike Peach Jam in July. His best game in that tournament was a 35-point, 17-rebound performance.
“He has the size and strength to be a force around the rim, while combining that with a point-guard like feel on the perimeter to make him a very unique and talented player,” Gard said. “We are excited to welcome Gus back home to his Wisconsin roots and we can’t wait to help him reach his dreams and goals as a Badger.”
Big man Nolan Winter has a diverse skillset
Winter, 6-10 and 190, is the latest standout from Lakeville North High School in Minnesota to choose UW.
Winter averaged 17.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as a junior. He chose UW over Minnesota.
“Nolan has been on our radar for several years, which has allowed our staff to watch him grow and develop as a player,” Gard said. “He has a tremendously high basketball IQ and a versatile skillset that will allow him to be effective in the post, off the dribble and a terrific shooter from the perimeter.
“His game is a perfect match for who we are and where the game of basketball is going, which requires multi-dimensional players with diverse skill sets.”
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John Blackwell is son of former Illinois player Glynn Blackwell
Blackwell, 6-4 and 185, plays for Brother Rice High School in Michigan. He committed to UW early in the process.
He averaged 13 points, five rebounds and four assists per game as a junior. He also shot 49.0% from three-point range, the best mark in the state.
His father, Glynn Blackwell, was a shooting guard for four seasons at Illinois (1984-88). He started 57 games and played in 106 and averaged 12.1 points per game as a senior.
“John brings a versatile skillset that will translate to the college level almost seamlessly,” Gard said. “While evaluating him, the staff and I quickly identified him for his physicality, feel for the game and basketball IQ.
“John has the ability with his skillset to play both with the ball in his hand and off of the ball. One of his greatest traits is the way he competes on the defensive end of the floor, and we feel he has the ability to be a great defensive player here at Wisconsin.”
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin gets Gus Yalden, Nolan Winter, John Blackwell on signing day
