Wisconsin Basketball: Highly-Touted Freshman Enters the Transfer Portal

Originally posted on Badger Notes | By Kedrick Stumbris | Last updated 3/28/24

Wisconsin basketball has an additional scholarship to work with this off-season. Since the Wisconsin Badgers were so unceremoniously eliminated in the NCAA Tournament, four players from head coach Greg Gard’s roster have entered the transfer portal. Add AJ Storr declaring for the NBA Draft, and there are plenty of new minutes to go around.

Thursday morning, a new name entered the portal. After UW’s season ended so unceremoniously, so does one in-state product’s time as a Badger. The player certainly brought a lot of headlines to Madison despite being with the program for less than a year.

In-State Wisconsin Basketball Freshman Enters Transfer Portal

After appearing in zero games at UW, Gus Yalden has entered the transfer portal. Despite not announcing his intention to red-shirt, Yalden leaves Madison with all four years of eligibility remaining.

Never found his footing with the #Badgers after a rocky start. Didn't travel with the team for the NCAA Tournament. https://t.co/uWFC6Z8YDa

— Kedrick Stumbris (@KedrickStumbris) March 28, 2024

The writing was somewhat on the wall for Yalden. In a non-conference game this season, he approached the scorers’ table to check in during garbage time but turned back to the bench, declining to burn his red shirt. After being mysteriously absent from some home games, nearly all away games, and all post-season competition, the puzzle pieces presented a clear picture of his fate.

Badgers Gus Yalden Enters Transfer Portal After Rocky Season

Photo: Courtesy of Gus Yalden’s Instagram

With a rocky Wisconsin basketball season in the rearview mirror, no one personified those hills and valleys more than Gus Yalden. The Badgers freshman came to Madison as something of a fan favorite. The Appleton, Wisconsin native was the crown jewel of Gard’s 2023 freshman recruiting class. Along with Nolan Winter and John Blackwell, the four-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, arrived with high expectations. Unfortunately, the Gus Bus derailed early.

In November, Yalden took a leave of absence from the Badgers basketball team, citing personal reasons. On campus, the big man had his own struggles. In September, he was ticketed for underage drinking. A few days after Wisconsin basketball announced his leave of absence, the Dane County District Attorney’s office filed charges against Yalden for possession of marijuana. Yalden pled not guilty to the marijuana charge in December. In February, the prosecution dismissed its case.

This article first appeared on Badger Notes and was syndicated with permission.

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