Dismissal of Veteran Badgers’ Forward opens new chances for youth ahead of 2025-26 season

Less than a week away from tip-off, the Wisconsin Badgers have announced a surprising bit of roster news surrounding a new transfer.

Elijah Gray, a former two-star Fordham commitment, transferred into the program from the Temple Owls after just one season with the team. Team officials announced that Gray is officially no longer a member of the program and has been removed from the roster ahead of the season opener against Campbell. Gray was dismissed due to “conduct preceding his enrollment” and the program was unable to expand upon the incident.

The Badgers recently played an exhibition against the Oklahoma Sooners in Milwaukee and did so without playing Gray. Time moves on, and the Badgers already have confidence in two replacements who have grown throughout the off-season.

Where Should the Wisconsin Badgers’ Staff Go Next Following the Dismissal of Elijah Gray?

The dismissal of Gray will likely open up minutes for some of the younger forwards on the team such as Aleksas Bieliauskas and Will Garlock. The duo do not necessarily play the exact same type of basketball, but could serve different purposes on the court for the Badgers.

Bieliauskas is a native of Lithuania who has made a name for himself as an athletic multi-level scorer on the court. The 6-foot-10 forward has the range to score from outside when needed while also possessing great vision and instincts around the basket. Garlock is a bit bigger at 7-feet tall but equally as slick with an impressive knack for passing the ball.

Gray was an intriguing player for a number of reasons but perhaps what drew the Badgers’ staff in the most was his efficiency when running pick plays. Gray is a physical finisher inside and a physical presence on the court who is difficult to work around as a defender.

The combination of size and speed that Garlock possesses could allow the forward to blossom when being utilized as a pick player. The forward indicated early in the off-season that pick n’ roll and pick n’ pop plays were still a developing part of his repertoire. However, with more time to play now, Garlock could receive in-game chances to work on that aspect of play.