The 6’6″ shooting guard is the fourth recruit out of the Minnesota high school Greg Gard has landed in six years.
By Nathan Denzin, BADGER STRIPES
It can be easy to get lost in the whirlwind off-season in college basketball, with seven players leaving Wisconsin and three transferring in.
While incoming freshmen Jack Robison hasn’t gotten a lot of press since the Badgers season ended, he certainly shouldn’t be overlooked.
The transfers out of Madison — punctuated by Chucky Hepburn and AJ Storr, who chose to play for Louisville and Kansas respectively — have been top of mind for most Badger fans.
Wisconsin has announced three incoming transfers in Camren Hunter, Xavier Amos and John Tonje. Plus the much-hyped athletic freak Daniel Freitag coming to Madison as a freshman after winning a state title with his high school in Minnesota last season.
But Robison (NOT Robinson) has just as much of a chance to impact the Badgers in the 2024-25 season as any of those names listed above.
He’s the fourth recruit head coach Greg Gard has landed from Lakeville North High School in Minnesota, following big men Nate Reuvers, Tyler Wahl and Nolan Winter.
Robison was named the East Metro Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 2024 by the St. Paul newspaper the Pioneer Press, and he finished his high school career third in Lakeville North all-time scoring. He finishes ahead of both Wahl and Winter, and behind Reuvers and #1 scorer J.P. Macura, who went to Xavier and now plays overseas.
“Seeing Nate [Reuvers] and Tyler [Wahl] succeed was definitely a positive thing for me,” Robison told Badger Stripes. “Seeing them come from my [high school] and then do great things at UW makes me think… why can’t I do the same thing?”
While Reuvers, Wahl and Winter were all recruited primarily as big men, Robison says one of the greatest strengths in his game is his versatility.
“I played all 5 positions at some point in my HS career, but I’m very comfortable playing 2 through 4,” Robison explained via text message. “I’m a good scorer and shooter, but I do a little bit of everything.”
He even enjoys a gritty Wisconsin basketball trait:
“I take the most pride in doing the little things – like taking a charge or diving on the floor,” he said.
When Robison announced his commitment to Wisconsin, Gard had high praise.
“Jack [Robison] plays the game with the kind of passion and fire that our fans have come to know and appreciate here at Wisconsin,” the coach said in a statement. “He has a high basketball IQ and a skillset that will allow him to be an effective all-around player.”
Robison says that he expects his game to translate “seamlessly” for the Badgers. Given the track record of the other three Lakeville North alumni contributing their freshman year, we should be inclined to believe him.
“I’m working on getting stronger,” Robison said. “[Plus] ball handling a lot.”
He says his only goal is to win at a high level in the Big Ten and in March Madness, so don’t be surprised if he gets a shot in the lineup next season.
Badger Stripes is an online sports news organization that provides in-depth coverage of Wisconsin athletics. Follow us on Facebook or X.
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