Two Wisconsin Badgers Freshmen Will Miss the Coming Season

Wisconsin Badgers freshmen out for the upcoming season include Josh Manchester and LaTrevion Fenderson, head coach Greg Gard confirmed. Manchester, a walk-on guard, will miss the year after shoulder surgery, while Fenderson will sit out the 2026-27 season to focus on academics.

Shoulder Surgery Sidelines Manchester

Manchester, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard from Mt. Horeb, joined the program as a walk-on. His high school career was prolific: he averaged 30.1 points per game as a senior and scored 2,534 career points, which ranks 10th in Wisconsin state history. The shoulder injury requiring surgery was announced earlier in the week, ending his first-year availability before it began. The exact timeline for his return has not been disclosed.

Read more

Fenderson to Sit Out 2026-27 for Academics

Fenderson, a three-star wing from Racine, committed to Wisconsin in August 2024. He was ranked as the No. 3 in-state recruit in the Class of 2026 and was considered a borderline four-star prospect by 247Sports. Gard said Fenderson will sit out the 2026-27 season to focus on academics, a decision that essentially amounts to a redshirt year. Given Wisconsin’s crowded rotation, the move did not come as a surprise.

Exhibition Rotation Shows Depth

In Saturday’s exhibition game, Wisconsin rotated 11 players, signaling significant backcourt and frontcourt depth. Austin Rapp did not play as he continues to recover from offseason surgery, adding to frontcourt questions. The deep rotation already made minutes scarce for newcomers, and Fenderson’s academic year away fits that reality.

The 5-for-5 Rule and Its Impact

The 5-for-5 rule eliminates traditional redshirting, meaning Fenderson’s decision is not a standard redshirt. Under the rule, players have five years to play five seasons, and sitting out does not preserve a year of eligibility in the same way. For Manchester, the injury forces a different path, with his return timeline still unknown.

What It Means for the Badgers

Wisconsin will move forward without two of its three freshmen. The remaining roster includes guards Owen Foxwell, Jack Janicki, Zach Kinziger, Trey Autry, Hayden Jones, Braeden Carrington, and Jackson Ball, along with wings Eian Elmer and frontcourt players Nolan Winter, Victory Onetu, and Will Garlock. Gard’s team will rely on that depth as it navigates the upcoming season.