The Wisconsin basketball offseason looked a lot different in early April, when it was in strong chase from top-rated transfer striker Frankie Fidler.
The plan: Move forward with the move from Omaha to recreate the wing production lost with AJ Storr’s departure. The starting five of Chucky Hepburn, Max Klesmit, John Blackwell, Frankie Fidler and Steven Crowl would do well to bounce back after a disappointing end to the 2023-24 season.
Related: See Wisconsin men’s basketball’s full 15-player roster for 2024-25
Well, plans have changed. Wisconsin point guard Chucky Hepburn entered the transfer portal on April 18, eliminating any chance the Badgers had of signing Fidler — his good friend and former high school teammate.
Fidler went on to commit to Tom Izzo and State of Michigan just a few days later.
The top-rated transfer recently joined ‘The Spiro Avenue Show’ and discussed the timeline of his commitment and eventual transfer decision:
Here’s the quote that would interest Badgers fans:
“One of my best friends, Chucky Hepburn, was in Wisconsin at the time and I really wanted to play with him,” Fidler said. “So I think that connection tilted me toward Wisconsin. But after my visit [to Michigan State]it really surprised me and I really enjoyed my time here.
Fidler received transfer predictions to pick Wisconsin after that visit. The Badgers were heavy favorites when Hepburn was still on the roster.
We previously detailed the exact timeline of events with Fidler’s visit to Wisconsin, her delayed commitment announcement, Hepburn’s departure from Wisconsin, and her transfer commitment from Omaha to Michigan State.
Hepburn’s status remains the biggest variable in what has become a miserable week for Greg Gard and the Badgers.
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