4-Star Forward Wisconsin Missed Out On Is Entering Transfer Portal

4-Star Forward Wisconsin Missed Out On Is Entering Transfer Portal

The Wisconsin Badgers may have another chance at landing a talented forward they missed out on in 2025, who originally chose an SEC school over Wisconsin.

As March Madness continues, the 2025-26 season has ended for most teams, including the Badgers, signaling the beginning of the offseason transfer period. While the official transfer portal doesn’t open until April 7, fans are already speculating about potential targets.

EJ Walker, a 6-foot-8 forward from South Carolina, will be entering the transfer portal this spring, according to his agents. The Badgers could be a serious contender for his services.

Walker, who redshirted at South Carolina before taking the redshirt off midway through the season, started in several games and averaged 17.8 minutes per game in SEC play.

Originally a four-star recruit in the Class of 2025, Walker was one of the top players Wisconsin pursued. He visited both Wisconsin and South Carolina for official visits before ultimately committing to the Gamecocks in May 2024.

As a freshman, Walker played in 22 games, making six starts, and averaged 2.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game. While his shooting struggled in 2025-26, hitting just 24.1% from three and 47.1% from the free-throw line, he shot 62.9% from inside the arc.

Physically, Walker stands at 6-foot-7 and weighs 253 pounds, giving him the ability to guard power-conference bigs while also being agile enough to play on the perimeter. He has solid on-ball skills, is a high-motor rebounder, and has the potential to develop into a versatile player. Rated as the second-best player in Kentucky coming out of high school, Walker’s athleticism and skill set have always been highly regarded.

While his fit in Wisconsin’s new up-tempo, three-point-focused offense may not be perfect, the Badgers’ lack of size and rebounding was evident in the 2025-26 season, especially with Nolan Winter out. If Wisconsin is looking to add another big man, Walker could be a strong option, especially if they decide to return Winter, Austin Rapp, Aleksas Bieliauskas, and Will Garlock.