Wisconsin reserve guard Aidan Konop entered the NCAA transfer portal on Friday.

The 6’2” true freshman played just four games with the Badgers after joining the program as a preferred walk-on ahead of the 2024-25 season.

“Thank you, Wisconsin,” Konop said in a statement via X. “Grateful for the relationships I’ve built with my coaches and teammates. I am entering the transfer portal with 3 years of eligibility left.”

All four of Konop’s appearances with Wisconsin came in the closing minutes of decided contests. He played four combined minutes in wins over Holy Cross, Appalachian State, Detroit Mercy and Washington. The freshman guard did not attempt a shot over those four games.

A native of Sussex, Wisconsin, Konop enjoyed a successful high school tenure at Sussex Hamilton High School. As a senior, he averaged 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals per game, while shooting over 50% from the field and 40% from deep. He earned a first-team All-Greater Metro Conference nod and led Sussex Hamilton to an appearance in the WIAA regional final prior to joining the Badgers’ program.

Konop becomes the fourth Badger to enter the transfer portal this offseason, joining point guard Daniel Freitag, guard Camren Hunter and forward Chris Hodges. Star wing John Tonje, starting center Steven Crowl, starting guard Max Klesmit, bench guard Kamari McGee, bench forward Carter Gilmore and program veteran Markus Ilver also departed via graduation.

UW has already added former Virginia guard Andrew Rhode to its 2025-26 lineup. He projects to fill a guard void with the departures of both Klesmit and Tonje. Barring a jump to the NBA, rising junior John Blackwell will lace up alongside Rhode this coming season in the starting unit.

Wisconsin basketball has secured a commitment from Virginia transfer Andrew Rohde for the 2025 season.

Rohde, a 6-foot-6 sharpshooter, averaged 9.3 points and 4.3 assists per game last season at Virginia.

Andrew Rohde, a guard from Virginia, has committed to playing basketball at Wisconsin.

Rohde, originally from Wisconsin, averaged 9.3 points and 4.3 assists per game last season.

Rohde is expected to start or be a key contributor off the bench for the Badgers.

Wisconsin is still looking to add to its roster through the transfer portal.

Wisconsin basketball has its first transfer commitment of the 2025 offseason: Virginia guard Andrew Rohde.

Rohde chose the Badgers over apparent top contender Iowa State, plus other power-conference options.

The Brookfield, Wisconsin, native began his college career at St. Thomas in 2022-23, instantly breaking out with per-game averages of 32.9 minutes, 17.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals. He then transferred to Virginia before the 2023-24 season.

With the Cavaliers, the 6-foot-6 sharpshooter appeared in 63 total games over two seasons, starting 53. He averaged just 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists as a sophomore in 2023-24 before improving each total to 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 2024-25. He recorded those junior-year tallies while shooting 43% from the field and a terrific 41% from 3.

Rohde should play a major role in Wisconsin’s rotation as a senior in 2025-26, whether as the starter or leading bench contributor. His leading attributes of size, shooting and defense appear to be a perfect fit as Wisconsin coach Greg Gard reshapes his program’s approach, specifically on the offensive end.

With more movement still to come, here is an updated look at Wisconsin’s projected starting lineup and reserve group after Rohde’s addition:

Wisconsin Projected 2025-26 Lineup With Transfer Andrew Rohde

Mar 8, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Andrew Rohde (4) shoots against Syracuse Orange guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. (0) during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Guard: John Blackwell (Junior)*

Guard: Andrew Rohde (Senior — Virginia transfer)

Wing: Transfer (TBD)

Forward: Xavier Amos (Senior) OR Transfer (TBD)

Forward: Nolan Winter (Junior)

Rohde could slot into the starting guard or wing position or become the team’s sixth man off the bench. He’ll provide a major boost to the lineup in either scenario. The Badgers are also trending for transfer guard Nick Boyd, which could create an impressive backcourt trio. As of today, before more movement follows, Rohde slots into the starting combo guard position alongside Blackwell.

The program’s future additions will tell a lot about how they view the Virginia transfer’s fit with the lineup.

*(Note: Blackwell declared for the NBA draft on April 3 while maintaining his collegiate eligibility. He remains in the projected lineup, barring an unforeseen rise up draft boards)

Mar 16, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers bench players cheer during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Guard Jack Janicki (Sophomore)

Guard Jack Robison (Sophomore)

Center Riccardo Greppi (Sophomore)

Guard Hayden Jones (Freshman)

Guard Zach Kinziger (Freshman)

Center Will Garlock (Freshman)

Given the Badgers’ transfer pursuits, Janicki appears a lock for this reserve group. The question is, will Amos join him? That will likely depend on what the program does in the transfer portal. As of now, Wisconsin’s frontcourt is a big question with Steven Crowl and Carter Gilmore both gone from the lineup, Gilmore specifically from what was a fantastic reserve group.

Again, more will become clear as Wisconsin continues its transfer recruiting process. As is the case in today’s age of college basketball, much is still to change before the 2025-26 season begins.

The NCAA transfer portal for basketball is open from March 24 to April 22, 2025.

Wisconsin lost several key players to graduation, including John Tonje, Max Klesmit, and Steven Crowl.

Three players have transferred out of the Wisconsin program: Daniel Freitag, Camren Hunter, and Chris Hodges.

Although the NCAA Tournament Final Four and national title game are still to be played, the college basketball transfer cycle is in full swing.

The 2025 window opened on March 24, immediately following the tournament’s second round. It will remain open until April 22. Players have until that date to enter their names. Once in, there is no time limit on committing to a new program.

Wisconsin has major needs to address this transfer cycle. The program said goodbye to a large senior class after the 2024-25 season, including star wing John Tonje, starters Max Klesmit and Steven Crowl, and key bench contributors Carter Gilmore and Kamari McGee. It returns John Blackwell and Nolan Winter to lead the lineup, with starting spots at combo guard, wing and forward all up for grabs.

The program is already trending for several top transfer targets. We have live updates on those pursuits here.

With several Wisconsin players already gone to the portal and commitments imminent, here is an up-to-date tracker of the program’s finalized transfer activity.

IN: Virginia transfer guard Andrew Rohde

Mar 8, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Andrew Rohde (4) shoots against Syracuse Orange guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. (0) during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome.

2024-25 Stats: Junior season. 30.9 minutes, 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals. 43% shooting, 41% from 3.

Andrew Rohde became Wisconsin’s first transfer commitment on April 3, choosing the program over top contender Iowa State. He played the last two years at Virginia after beginning his career at St. Thomas. The 6-foot-6 guard should fit seamlessly into Greg Gard’s lineup, especially with his proven ability to distribute the basketball and shoot from the outside. Virginia is also an easy culture fit with Wisconsin, although legendary coach Tony Bennett retired before the 2024-25 season. Rohde should also be a ‘plus’ on the defensive end.

The big question is where the Brookfield, Wisconsin, native slots into the Badgers’ lineup. The program’s remaining transfer movement will give that answer. As of now, he projects to start in the backcourt alongside Blackwell and a to-be-determined transfer.

OUT: Freshman point guard Daniel Freitag

MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 30: Daniel Freitag #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers dribbles the ball to the basket on Nick DeLuca #20 of the River Falls Falcons during the second half of the exhibition game at Kohl Center on October 30, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin.

2024-25 Stats: 29 total minutes, two points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal

Freitag’s departure is the most notable of the three. He joined the program as its top recruit in the class of 2024 with the long-term expectation of filling Chucky Hepburn’s shoes at point guard. The Minneapolis, Minnesota, native appeared in just 14 games as a true freshman, mostly in the final minutes of decisive wins. He enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining, likely looking for a guaranteed role and playing time.

OUT: Junior guard Camren Hunter

Wisconsin guard Camren Hunter (3) misses a three-point basket during the second half of their game Sunday, December 22, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Detroit Mercy 76-53.

2024-25 Stats: 23 total minutes, three points, five rebounds, one assist

Hunter transferred to Wisconsin last offseason after three seasons at Central Arkansas. Unlike fellow transfers John Tonje and Xavier Amos, he was unable to crack the Badgers’ regular rotation. He and Freitag played similar roles off the bench in late-game situations. Hunter transferred back to Central Arkansas this week, where he previously averaged a combined 15.5 points, five rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game in two seasons as a major contributor (2021-23).

OUT: Junior forward Chris Hodges

MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 30: Chris Hodges #21 of the Wisconsin Badgers shoots a free throw during the second half of the game against the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds at Kohl Center on October 30, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

2024-25 Stats: 15 total minutes, one point, one steal

Hodges entered the portal after four seasons with the Badgers. He was a reserve throughout that time, seeing just 30, 21 and 15 total minutes of playing time as a redshirt freshman, sophomore and junior, respectively. His exit opens a fourth roster spot that Gard and his staff will look to fill with an experienced transfer.

Wisconsin’s John Blackwell declares for NBA draft, maintains option of returning to Badgers

Mark Stewart Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

John Blackwell’s ability to develop from a role player as a freshman to a go-to player as a sophomore was a key reason why the Wisconsin men’s basketball team exceeded expectations this season.

But is he ready for the NBA?

That is the question the 6-foot-4 guard will seek answers for over the next couple of months. Thursday he started that process by declaring for the 2025 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.

Blackwell announced his decision on social media.

“My goal has always been to play in the NBA, and going through the process will take me one step closer to my dream,” he wrote.

If Blackwell returns to college, he wrote that he plans to come back to Wisconsin.

“Once a Badger, always a Badger!,” he wrote.

The deadline for early entry players to withdraw from the draft is June 15 at 4 p.m. central time.

Blackwell averaged 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assist per game this past season. He shot 45.1% from the floor and 32.2% from three-point range.

His average of 31.2 minutes per game was just a shade off John Tonje’s team high.

Those numbers were significant increases over the averages Blackwell produced as a freshman: 8.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists per game. He played 18 ½ minutes per game and his field goal percentage was 44.6%.

In addition to getting input from his family and his agent, Blackwell noted that UW coach Greg Gard was part of the process.

“John has been a tremendous player for our program the last two seasons and has the drive to be the best player on the floor, wherever he is playing,” Gard said in a statement posted on the Badgers’ page on X. “This is a win-win opportunity for John to receive feedback from NBA personnel while retaining the ability to play for our program next fall.”

When meeting with the media after practice on Tuesday, Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell confirmed redshirt freshman Thomas Heiberger has moved to inside linebacker.

The team’s updated spring roster first indicated the shift, which is worth watching as the offseason period and 2025 season preparation continue.

Heiberger joined the program as one of its top class of 2024 signees. He was the No. 463 overall player, the No. 40 linebacker and the top player from South Dakota in the class.

The four-star recruit was an early standout at outside linebacker after arriving on campus last offseason. However, an August knee injury sidelined him for much of the season, halting his chance of cracking the initial two-deep. He returned to the field toward the end of the campaign, appearing in four games, all on special teams.

Heiberger’s move to inside linebacker is interesting to note. Wisconsin enters the season with 2024 starter Christian Alliegro and former USC transfer Tackett Curtis set to start at the position. Not much depth exists beyond that duo; redshirt sophomore Tyler Jansey and Western Carolina transfer Antarron Turner are the other primary options.

Outside linebacker, meanwhile, has returning veterans Darryl Peterson and Aaron Witt, incoming transfers Mason Reiger (Louisville), Michael Garner (Grambling State) and Tyreese Fearbry (Kentucky), and 2024 breakout player Sebastian Cheeks. Heiberger would face a long path to playing time at the position, even with several of those players entering their final year of eligibility.

The position change makes sense for that reason. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Heiberger quickly joined the two-deep at inside linebacker and potentially the regular rotation.

“Thomas (Heiberger) has moved to inside linebacker,” Fickell said when asked about the pass-rusher group. “Aaron Witt is (also) playing a little bit of a hybrid; he’ll play some of the edge stuff. … We’re just trying to use some more versatility. Again, it gives us a chance to get bigger.”

Wisconsin delivered on that final point of emphasis this offseason, landing four experienced defensive linemen and three edge rushers. The team’s new-look front seven figures to be a clear step up from a group that struggled down the stretch in 2024. The additions of defensive tackles Corey Walker (Western Michigan), Parker Petersen (Tulane), Charles Perkins (UT-Martin) and Jay’Viar Suggs (LSU), plus returning contributors Ben Barten and Brandon Lane, headline that projection.

“You’re playing nickel all the time, now you can go into a base defense, you can add a guy that’s 6-foot-4, 6-foot-5, 245 pounds as another piece on the field, along with the big 300-pounders,” Fickell continued. “It was an emphasis for us to be able to get bigger. Obviously, the way that we have to practice, this gives us a opportunity to get those guys more reps.”

The program has certainly done so along the front. Behind that group, Heiberger’s place on the depth chart will be worth monitoring as the spring and summer continue. If his flashes as a true freshman were any indication, he could emerge as a major contributor as early as this season.

Austin Rapp rebounds a ball with his right hand. He is in the college basketball transfer portal after one season at Portland

Wisconsin basketball was slated alongside a slew of other Big Ten teams after hosting the forward on a visit

The past two seasons, Wisconsin basketball head coach Greg Gard has found his team’s leading scorer in the college basketball transfer portal. After AJ Storr portaled again and John Tonje exhausted his eligibility, Gard is hoping to hit on another transfer.

So far, the Wisconsin Badgers have only lost players to the transfer portal. After one season in Madison each, guards Camren Hunter and Daniel Freitag are seeking other opportunities. However, it is not just depth in his backcourt that Gard needs to fill.

The Badgers have a seven-foot hole in the frontcourt. Veteran starting center Steven Crowl’s 25.6 minutes per game will have to be filled. Plus, Wisconsin needs to find some way to replace Carter Gilmore’s steady presence at forward off the bench.

The first step in rebuilding Wisconsin’s frontcourt may not be far away, as a standout prospect in the portal announced his top-five schools on Tuesday.

Transfer Portal Center Austin Rapp Includes Wisconsin Basketball in Top Five

Austin Rapp is a highly-coveted prospect after his one season in the West Coast Conference. As a freshman at Portland, he averaged 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. While the sheer volume was impressive, it was how Rapp compiled those numbers that may have played an even bigger role in earning him the WCC Freshman of the Year Award.

On 236 attempts, Rapp shot 35.2% from three. The All-WCC Second-Team honoree’s ability to stretch the floor and create mismatches changes the way defenses have to play. Rapp connected on three or more shots from deep 14 times his freshman year, including two games in which he connected on six three-pointers.

As Wisconsin basketball looks to replace Crowl, a career 36.3% shooter from beyond the arc, Rapp may be a perfect fit. Following a visit to Madison, the Badgers received encouraging news.

In a social media post, Rapp announced that he has narrowed down his recruitment to five schools. The Melbourne, Australia native will play his next season of college basketball with the Wisconsin Badgers, Michigan Wolverines, Iowa Hawkeyes, Oregon Ducks, or Clemson Tigers.

In a conversation with All Badgers before the 2024-25 season, Wisconsin basketball assistant coach Kirk Penney said that in UW’s overhauled offense, the Badgers “are really trying to spread the floor, create as much spacing as possible, giving guys the opportunity to drive if they want to, a lot of room for the bigs to roll without having too much help, and also having players that can shoot the ball.”

With that offensive philosophy in mind, it is easy to envision Rapp in the Gard-Penney offense.

At 6-foot-10-inches, 230-pounds, Rapp can complement rising junior Nolan Winter, another capable shooter, in the frontcourt on high-low actions, in addition to rotating minutes at center. Good things happen when Rapp tries getting to the rim, as he connected on 81.5% of his 92 attempts from the free-throw line last season – including a perfect ten-for-ten performance against the Washington State Cougars.

Rapp can play inside and out on both ends of the floor. A willing rim protector, he totaled 45 blocks in 31 games. No Badger has recorded a block per game since Nate Reuvers swatted away 1.3 per contest in the 2020-21 season.

Wisconsin basketball guard Daniel Freitag lifts his arms in the air to defend the lane

The transfer portal for NCAA men’s basketball is in full swing, and Wisconsin Badger fans are finally starting to get a grasp of the targets that Greg Gard and his staff are targeting. They aren’t offering or chasing everyone; they aren’t even after every big name that jumps into the portal. They have a small list of players that they want to prioritize, and while they won’t be able to land them all, they will get some good additions.

First, a refresher on the Wisconsin Badgers, who have already jumped into the portal and will be seeking a new school. As of now, there are only two players to move along.

Wisconsin players transferring out

PG – Daniel Freitag

PG – Camren Hunter

Second, and probably the primary reason you clicked into this article, is for the players that Wisconsin is targeting. It could be more than this, but these are the ones that we have seen reports of or have had confirmation of. We have even had a couple already visit, Austin Rapp and Nick Boyd. Here’s a full list of players that Wisconsin is reportedly pursuing in the transfer portal.

Transfer players reportedly linked to Wisconsin

C – Austin Rapp from the University of Portland

F – Morez Johnson Jr. from the University of Illinois

G – Keonte Jones from CSUN

G – Nick Boyd from San Diego State University

G – Alex Huibregtse from Wright State

G – Bubu Benjamin from Tarleton State

F – Amsal Delalic from Pitt

F – Jacob Ognacevic from Lipscomb

G- Andrew Rohde from Virginia

There are probably others who haven’t yet been reported, and there will be more coming in the next few weeks as players from other schools jump into the portal. It will be ever-expanding, but for now, Greg Gard and his staff seem to be focused on this. There’s a good chance a couple of these players listed above are Badgers next year.

The 2024-25 season for the Wisconsin men’s basketball program will be remembered for several incredible performances. And most of them involved John Tonje.

Tonje spent just one year in a Badger uniform, but he made the most of each and every game he played. A sixth-year transfer, Tonje scored 724 points, which places him second on the school’s single-season scoring list.

He also put together a record 37 points in the tough loss to BYU in the NCAA Tournament, which brought a close to Tonje’s career as a college athlete. He is now preparing for the NBA and NBA Draft, and likely will make a team very happy upon his arrival.

The 6-foot-5 Tonje shined in Nebraska as a prep, finishing as the state’s leading scorer his senior season. He used that to secure a spot at Colorado State, playing four seasons where he averaged just under 15 as a senior.

From Nebraska to Missouri to Wisconsin for John Tonje

From there, Tonje took a medical redshirt at Missouri in 2023-24 after spending the summer helping the Cameroon National Team go 4-0 in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament. He returned to the court as a Badger, putting his name on the map with a 41-point performance vs. Arizona.

Tonje won National Player of the Week honors three times, was the Greenbrier Tip-Off Tournament MVP, a first team all-Big Ten selection and second team All-American.

Not bad from a kid who had zero stars and held offers from Colorado State, hometown school Nebraska Omaha and Missouri Western coming out of high school.

Most now have Tonje as a Top 100 player on their big board for the NBA Draft. That would mean the end of the second round, but he could also be an undrafted free agent and have more control over where he goes.

Since 2011, Wisconsin has had just four players selected in the NBA Draft in Jon Leuer, Sam Dekker, Frank Kaminsky and Johnny Davis.

This article first appeared on Wisconsin Badgers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

Ex-Duke Basketball Center Returns to Transfer Portal

SEC Coach Denies Maryland Interest; Buzz Williams Top Candidate?

The Texas A M Aggies’ Buzz Williams was not the only SEC head coach who has been rumored to potentially be interested in the now-vacant Maryland Terrapins job. In the immediate aftermath of now former Terrapins’ coach Kevin Willard taking the same job at Villanova, Alabama coach Nate Oats joined Williams as the two high-profile current head men rumored to have an interest. However, now it seems Williams now has that category of rumored interest to himself.

According to a report the Field of 68 insider Jeff Goodman, the current Crimson Tide head coach has taken himself out of the running for the Maryland job. “Alabama head coach Nate Oats has no interest in the vacant Maryland job, source told Field of 68,” Goodman writes. Goodman went even further to say that there was “no truth” to the rumors that Oats had interest in leaving Tuscaloosa for Maryland.

Which obviously doesn’t do much for Aggie fans hoping to hear the same in regards to Williams. But the longer there is no official word on Williams’ desire to stay in College Station, it seems that no news may indeed be pending bad news for Texas A M. With Oats out of the running after taking the Crimson Tide to the Elite Eight, where they lost to Duke, Williams looks to be the highest profile candidate for the job.

Just days before Goodman broke the news on Oats’s future. He reported that the buzz surrounding Williams (pun intended) was indeed true. “Texas A M’s Buzz Williams trying to get involved in Maryland if/when it opens, source told Field of 68,” Goodman wrote on X Thursday. The 52-year-old just completed his sixth season in College Station, where for the third year in a row, he helped the Aggies earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

He’s compiled a 120-73 record in College Station and is fresh off a 23-11 season that saw him take the Aggies to the Round of 32, the farthest they’ve made it with him at the helm. And even while his time with the Aggies is viewed as a success, it does make sense why he would be interested in taking the Maryland. For one, they are coming off their best in a decade, as Willard took them to the Sweet 16. Secondly, historically, the Terrapins is a better job than Texas A M. Until a hire is officially made by Maryland, the Aggies may have to sweat out the coming days as they await to find out the future of their head coach.

Could a deal for Cowboys edge-rusher Micah Parsons be imminent?

Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson plans to demote a few veterans in 2025

Former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus did all he could to try and instill a strong leadership core in the locker room for his third season with the team.

Before drafting Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick, Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles hired offensive coordinator Shane Waldon and defensive coordinator Eric Washington to provide leadership from the coaching staff. The Chicago Bears’ “apex leadership group” is shrinking Eberflus made a unique choice to give the Bears eight team captains in 2024, calling them the “apex leadership group.”

They were to serve as communicators from the locker room to Eberflus and his staff. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, wide receiver DJ Moore, quarterback Caleb Williams, safety Kevin Byard III, linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, and tight ends Marcedes Lewis and Cole Kmet were named captains before the season. “It’s their locker room,” Eberflus said via the Bears website. “I told them it’s their team.

We’re gonna give you the keys. We’re gonna prepare you how to drive and all those things, and we’re gonna be there to help you. But it’s their team. They gotta drive it.” Ben Johnson wants fewer team captains Johnson will have a different approach for the upcoming season. Per Courtney Cronin of ESPN, Johnson said during the annual league meeting on Tuesday that the Bears would have fewer team captains (3-5) in 2025.

“Johnson said the Bears will “probably” have between 3-5 season-long captains that the players will vote on. That’s less than the 8 Chicago had during the 2024 season,” Cronin posted on X. Of the Bears’ eight team captains from 2024, only Lewis is not on the roster. He is a free agent who recently suggested that he wanted to end his career with Chicago.

Johnson’s plan means a few team captains from 2024 will be demoted from their official leadership positions. Eight was always too many team captains. This season, Johnson wants his staff to install their culture before letting the veterans take over. After 15 wins in three seasons, the veteran core of the Bears wasn’t getting the job done, regardless of what the coaching staff was or wasn’t doing.

NFL Draft expert explains perfect situation for Jaxson Dart

Raiders Drop Update on Possible Hunter Renfrow Signing

It’s no secret that the Las Vegas Raiders have a need at wide receiver, but with options limited in free agency, the team recently brought in Hunter Renfrow for a visit. The former fifth-round pick of the team was out of the NFL last season but is looking to make a comeback in 2025. He’s a former Pro Bowl and still just 29 so he could return to form in the right situation.

While there are few coaches and front office members left from Renfrow’s tenure with the team, the Raiders are at least a little interested in reuniting with the wide receiver. General manager John Spytek was asked about the visit and he gave some insight as to why they wanted to meet with Renfrow. “We were just visiting and checking in on him,” Spytek told reporters at the annual league meeting in Florida.

“I’ll just say he’s in a really good spot now where he wants to continue his career. We would be remiss if we didn’t think about it.” It sounds like the Raiders may still be evaluating their options. Renfrow also previously met with the Carolina Panthers so they could be lurking. The Raiders may wait to see how the 2025 NFL Draft plays out before making any kind of offer to Renfrow.

NFL’s kickoff rule change nullifies main argument against tush push

NBA

Dominant Thunder break NBA record, eye more NBA history

On Tuesday, the Thunder (63-12) improved to 28-1 against Eastern Conference teams with a 145-117 win over the Bulls. In the process, Mark Daigneault officially clinched the best inter-conference record in NBA history, surpassing the previous benchmark set by the 1999-00 Lakers, 2006-07 Mavericks and 2015-16 Warriors, all of which finished with a 27-3 record against the East.

In its final away game in Detroit on Wednesday, OKC can improve to 29-1 against the East, adding to its NBA record. Technically, the Thunder lost another game to the Bucks this season, but its NBA Cup finals loss does not count as part of the regular season. OKC is also on pace to finish with the largest point differential (and net rating) in NBA history.

As of Tuesday, they’ve outscored opponents by an average of 13.36 points, which is more than a point clear of the ’71-’72 Lakers (12.28) and ’70-’71 Bucks (12.26). Even the 73-9 Warriors beat opponents by an average of 11.63 points. Thunder can also become only the third 70-win team in NBA history if they can go 7-0 in their final 10 games. Unless they rest all their starters, the milestone is within reach.

Scratch that, they’ve been drubbing teams even without key starters in recent weeks, going 19-2 since the All-Star break. Nothing is beyond reach for this spirited bunch. It’s going to take a bit for everyone to process what this OKC team, the youngest 60-win team ever, has achieved this season. But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. continue to be disrespected, and understandably so. This team won’t get its fair share of credit unless the regular-season dominance translates to the playoffs.

At least the oddsmakers don’t consider OKC a regular-season wonder. After trailing the Celtics all season, the Thunder are now officially the odds-on favorites to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June. The shift in odds is monumental since the C’s have been favored to win it all since Oct. 2023, which predates their title victory in 2024.

Wisconsin freshman guard Daniel Freitag entered the transfer portal after one season with the Badgers.

Freitag, a former four-star recruit, saw limited playing time as a freshman and will look for a larger role elsewhere.

Freitag is the second Wisconsin player to enter the transfer portal since it opened on March 24.

Wisconsin will look to the transfer portal to fill out its roster for the 2025-26 season.

Wisconsin freshman guard and former top high school recruit Daniel Freitag entered the transfer portal on Monday.

Freitag is the second player to depart since the portal window opened on March 24, joining reserve guard Camren Hunter. The two, each in their first year with the program in 2024-25, combined for just 52 total minutes, five points, nine rebounds and four assists while converting just two of 19 shot attempts.

While both players entered the season, Freitag from high school and Hunter via transfer from Central Arkansas, with expectations to compete for a regular role in the rotation, walk-on freshman Jack Janicki emerged to capture the available bench minutes.

There wasn’t a guarantee that their place in the backcourt rotation would change entering 2025-26, even with veterans Max Klesmit and Kamari McGee gone to graduation.

Freitag’s transfer is the more notable of the two. The four-star prospect joined the Badgers last offseason as the No. 119 player in the class of 2024, No. 12 point guard and No. 3 recruit from the state of Minnesota. He did so with expectations of being Wisconsin’s point guard of the future after Chucky Hepburn’s transfer to Louisville. Now, the former top recruit will look to fulfill his top recruiting billing elsewhere.

The point guard took to X on Monday after the news of his transfer broke to share a message with the Wisconsin fanbase:

“My time at UW has been an enjoyable chapter in my life. The relationships I’ve built with my brothers here have meant everything to me, and I’m grateful for it all. Every challenge and obstacle will make me a better man, and I wouldn’t trade the adversity for anything. I never thought this day would come, but I’m aware God doesn’t make mistakes. Through it all, I will continue to trust His plan for my life and career.

To the Wisconsin fans, thank you for the support from the moment I arrived on campus. It has not gone unnoticed, and it has been amazing to experience. A special thank you to the guards who took me under their wing: Camren Hunter, John Blackwell, John Tonje, Max Klesmit, and Kamari McGee. There will always be a spot in my heat and in my mind for my amazing teammates.

After much thought and prayer, I have decided to enter the transfer portal. I’m looking forward to the next step, but I will always be grateful for my time as a Badger.”

Freitag enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining. Wisconsin originally landed his commitment over in-state Minnesota, Notre Dame, Baylor and Virginia. While two of those programs have new coaching staffs, those four may be worth watching as his transfer process begins.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, is ramping up its transfer recruiting process. For more on the program’s interests and top targets, one of which was recently on campus for a visit, bookmark our transfer target tracker.