The first significant headline of Wisconsin basketball’s 2025 transfer cycle passed on Monday, as freshman point guard and former top recruit Daniel Freitag announced his departure.
Freitag was the program’s top recruit in the class of 2024, ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 119 player in the class, No. 12 point guard and No. 3 recruit from Minnesota. After Chucky Hepburn’s transfer exit last offseason, many turned to Freitag as the program’s future at the position.
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The point guard rarely saw the court as a true freshman in 2024-25, playing just 29 minutes and recording two points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal. He was left out of a crowded guard rotation of starters Max Klesmit and John Blackwell, and reserves Kamari McGee and Jack Janicki.
Freitag and reserve guard Camren Hunter are Wisconsin’s two departures at this early stage in the transfer cycle.
As the Badgers work to reload their roster entering 2025-26, Freitag’s departure is notable enough to warrant some major takeaways:
This is college basketball’s current reality
MADISON, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 10: Daniel Freitag #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers steps to the basket during the second half of the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Kohl Center on January 10, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Perhaps this is a lesson to college basketball fans, even those of a program in Wisconsin that is still built on player development: top recruiting billing does not always equal instant success. Furthermore, the guarantee of four years of development is no more. Where in the past, a recruit could sit on the bench for a few years before stepping into a big role as a junior, today’s landscape often sees those players search for playing opportunities elsewhere.
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That dynamic has benefits and drawbacks. Either way, it’s the reality of the sport’s current age.
Freitag likely wasn’t in line for a big role next season
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 30: Daniel Freitag #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers dribbles the ball to the basket on Reggie Postel #14 of the River Falls Falcons in the second half of the exhibition game at Kohl Center on October 30, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
As listed, Freitag played just 29 minutes this season, mostly as an end-of-the-bench reserve in the final minutes of blowout wins. He didn’t necessarily excel in those limited minutes, nor did Hunter.
Both players would’ve contended for increased minutes next season. But a larger role was no guarantee with the Badgers set to bring in several veteran contributors at the position.
Greg Gard deserves the benefit of the doubt with roster management
Mar 28, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard looks on during the first half against the North Texas Mean Green at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Gard and his staff deserve the benefit of the doubt if they elect to go the transfer route at guard instead of banking on big improvements from Freitag and Hunter. Many thought the roster was in shambles when Hepburn and A.J. Storr transferred out last offseason. Instead, Gard led the Badgers on one of their best seasons in a decade, in part due to terrific roster management, headlined by the addition of transfer wing John Tonje.
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The Wisconsin head coach is showing an ability to succeed in the sport’s current age. The team’s 2024-25 season should have answered any outstanding questions.
Wisconsin still has impressive young backcourt talent
DENVER, COLORADO – MARCH 22: Jack Janicki #33 of the Wisconsin Badgers drives to the basket against Dawson Baker #25 of the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Ball Arena on March 22, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Walk-on freshman Janicki’s emergence was a big reason for Freitag and Hunter missing the regular rotation. Janicki will now step into a larger role in 2025-26, complementing Blackwell and a likely veteran transfer addition, or two.
Past that experienced duo, Wisconsin has a group of promising incoming backcourt recruits. In-state standout Zach Kinziger leads that list, joining as 247Sports’ No. 88 player in the class of 2025, No. 13 shooting guard and No. 3 player from the state of Wisconsin. International recruit Hayden Jones is the other notable addition.
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It’s hard to expect either Kinziger or Jones to play a big role as true freshmen. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if both enter the regular rotation. Big-picture, Wisconsin has an impressive talent pipeline at the position.
This move signals Wisconsin’s offseason plans
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 16: Head coach Greg Gard of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half in the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Freitag and Hunter transferring out opens the door for several transfer additions in the backcourt. It can be inferred from their moves, each likely due to a lack of future playing time, that those backcourt additions are close to a guarantee.
Wisconsin remains a developmental program, an approach that Blackwell and Nolan Winter should highlight in the coming years. But it is also adapting to the sport’s transfer age, as Gard seems inclined to rely on the portal each season to reload important positions on the roster.
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For more, here is an early look at Wisconsin’s projected 2025-26 rotation, including projected transfers.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball Daniel Freitag transfer portal decision takeaways
