Hauser is No. 1 target for Badgers
Class of 2018 forward from Stevens Point has UW in his top 3
MADISON – Wisconsin coach Greg Gard and his assistants are set to spend endless hours in gyms across the country this summer, evaluating players they hope to add to the UW roster.
The first of three evaluation periods this month opens on Wednesday and the UW coaches expect to watch players for the 2018, ’19 and ’20 classes.
UW’s No. 1 target for the ’18 class is versatile forward Joey Hauser, who has helped Stevens Point High School win the last three WIAA Division I state titles.
Hauser, whose AAU team is the Iowa Barnstormers, appears to have narrowed his choices to three colleges: UW, Marquette and Michigan State. Hauser has friends at UW; his brother, Sam, is preparing for his sophomore season at Marquette; and he respects Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.
The 6-foot-9, 210-pounder is among the top players in the state in the ’18 class and is
one of the more versatile frontcourt players in the region. Hauser isn’t an explosive athlete but he is smooth, can score from outside or inside, handles the ball comfortably and is a selfless player who focuses more on team success than individual accomplishments.
That doesn’t mean Hauser is afraid to take over a game. Hauser helped Stevens Point to its third consecutive WIAA Division 1 state title last spring. He finished with 33 points, 22 rebounds, four assists and a block in 31 minutes in an 85-56 victory over Arrowhead in the title game.
UW has one scholarship left for the ’18 class. If Hauser chooses UW, he will join Whitnall’s Tyler Herro in the class. Herro, a 6-4 guard, committed last September. Herro had scholarship offers from Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Marquette, Purdue, Creighton and other schools.
Two targets in the ’19 class are forward Nobal Days (Racine Park/Playground Elite) and guard D.J. Carton (Bettendorf, Iowa/Quad City Elite).
Days, 6-9 and 195, has scholarship offers from UW, Marquette, DePaul, Northwestern, Illinois and others. Days sees the floor like a guard, is an excellent passer and can defend well. His offensive game is a bit raw but he has time to develop.
Carton, 6-1 and 180, was offered a scholarship after attending a UW camp in June. He reminded observers of former UW guard Traevon Jackson, only with more natural athletic ability. Carton's ability to deliver the ball to open teammates was particularly impressive. UW was the first major program to extend a scholarship offer.
UW’s No. 1 target in the 2020 class is Jalen Johnson.