NFL
By: Melo Williams
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men’s basketball team announced the signings of 3-star LaTrevion Fenderson and Jackson Ball to the incoming freshman class for the 2026-27 season.
LaTrevion Fenderson, a 6-foot-5 205 lb wing from Racine verbally committed to the Badgers in August of 2024. Fenderson began his high school career at The Prairie School, and averaged 21.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game his junior season earning First-Team Division 4 All-State honors from the Coaches Association before transferring to DME Academy at St. John’s Northwestern in Delafield for his senior year and averaged 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists per game. Fenderson ended up reclassifying to the C/O 2026.
“We are excited about the addition of LaTrevion,” UW head coach Greg Gard said. “We feel that he brings a lot of physicality and athleticism to our line-ups in the future. The fact that he’s a Wisconsin kid, born and raised, and loves being a representative of the state is very important to him and our program. We’ve known LaTrevion for a long time and have been able to watch him mature and grow and we’re thrilled to keep him home as a Badger. Our entire staff is looking forward to helping Tre grow into his potential both on and off the court here in Madison.”
“I’m thrilled to join the Wisconsin Badgers program,” Fenderson said. “From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt the vibrant spirit and passion of this incredible community. I am ready to give my all on the court and represent the winning tradition of this program.”
Fenderson had other offers from Iowa State, UW-Milwaukee, and Southern Utah. He received interest from Marquette, DePaul, and numerous mid-major programs.
Fenderson played AAU basketball for Wisconsin Playground on the Under Armour circuit, tallying 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists per game last summer and is RecruitLook Hoops top-rated player in the state of Wisconsin, and a top-160 player nationally, for the Class of 2026.
LaTrevion Fenderson, is the cousin of former Wisconsin Badgers point guard Kamari McGee.
Jackson Ball, a 6-4 guard from Napier, New Zealand, Ball played with current Badger freshman Hayden Jones at the FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup this past summer, leading New Zealand to a fourth-place finish, the country’s best finish at the event. Ball averaged 9.9 points, 3.1 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game.
Ball also represented New Zealand at the 2024 FIBA U-17 Basketball World Cup and the 2023 FIBA U-16 Asian Championships. He was also selected to join the New Zealand senior team, becoming the third-youngest player in the country’s history to suit up for the Tall Blacks program.
“We are ecstatic to have Jackson as a Wisconsin Badger,” UW head coach Greg Gard said. “He is a special talent that will fit extremely well in our program both on and off the court. His size, physicality and toughness in our system will be a great asset for our future. He also brings successful world wide basketball experience to our team from his time on New Zealand’s national team that will be extremely valuable for a quick transition to the college game for him.”
“We are looking forward to getting to work with Jackson when he gets to Madison next summer.”
Ball is currently playing for the Illawarra Hawks in the National Basketball League in Australia as the 17-year old has suited up in three games for the Hawks.
Prior to his time with the Hawks, Ball averaged 20.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists last year with the Hawke’s Bay Hawks in the New Zealand National Basketball League.
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