Wisconsin Basketball’s New Secret Weapon: How Temple Transfer Elijah Gray Could Change the Game Forever

Wisconsin basketball finalized its roster for the 2025-26 season on Tuesday with a commitment from Temple transfer forward Elijah Gray.

AI-assisted summary
• Wisconsin finalized its 2025-26 basketball roster with the addition of Temple transfer Elijah Gray.
• Gray joins a revamped roster that includes several other transfers and returning players.
• The Badgers’ projected starting lineup features a mix of veteran leadership and young talent.
• Gray’s addition strengthens Wisconsin’s frontcourt depth.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinionYou know that feeling when a team shakes up the roster right before the season, and you just can’t help but lean in a little closer? That’s exactly what Wisconsin basketball did this week—locking in their 2025-26 squad with a key catch from Temple’s camp: Elijah Gray. This 6-foot-8 forward isn’t just filling a spot; he’s stepping into a hole left behind when Xavier Amos took off to Loyola-Chicago. And with Grey, along with a mix of transfers and seasoned Badgers, the depth chart’s looking healthier, stronger, and more intriguingly competitive than it’s been in a while. The blend of veteran savvy and fresh legs in Greg Gard’s lineup could very well shake up the Big Ten landscape next season. Curious to see how it all comes together? LEARN MOREGray’s addition is critical to Wisconsin’s chances next season. The Badgers were razor-thin in the frontcourt behind starters Winter and Rapp before Tuesday, creating the team’s most significant roster weakness. Gray’s three years of experience and proven production help to fill that void. Notably, depth forward was a strength for Wisconsin in 2024-25, with Carter Gilmore and Amos each playing significant minutes. Their contributions were key to the team’s strong season, especially given the Big Ten’s terrific depth and talent at the position.With Gray joining Janicki and Carrington as primary bench contributors, the team is now both deep and experienced across the lineup. This bench unit could turn into a major positive for Gard’s group. That will especially be the case if freshman Zach Kinziger or international signee Aleksas Bieliauskas excel from Day 1.

Wisconsin Basketball Updated 2025-26 Starting Lineup Projection

• Guard: John Blackwell (Junior)
• Guard: Nick Boyd (Senior — San Diego State transfer)
• Wing: Andrew Rohde (Senior — Virginia transfer)
• Forward: Austin Rapp (Sophomore — Portland transfer)
• Forward: Nolan Winter (Junior)

Wisconsin’s revamped roster projects to be among the Big Ten’s best next season. For specifics, here is how that group lines up after Gray’s addition.

Wisconsin’s Projected 2025-26 Bench/Reserves

• Guard Jack Janicki (Sophomore)
• Guard Braeden Carrington (Senior — Tulsa transfer)
• Forward Elijah Gray (Senior — Temple transfer)
• Forward Aleksas Bieliauskas (Freshman)
• Guard Zach Kinziger (Freshman)
• Center Riccardo Greppi (Sophomore)
• Guard Jack Robison (Sophomore)
• Guard Hayden Jones (Freshman)
• Center Will Garlock (Freshman)

Gray was in the portal after one year at Temple. He appeared in 25 games for the Owls in 2024-25, totaling 19.7 minutes, nine points and 3.8 rebounds per contest. The 6-foot-8 forward projects to fill a depth role on Wisconsin’s roster that became vacant when Xavier Amos transferred to Loyola-Chicago earlier this offseason. Gray, transfer guard Braeden Carrington and Jack Janicki figure to lead the Badgers’ bench rotation in 2025-26, with numerous minutes still up for grabs.Gray’s addition completes a busy offseason for Greg Gard and his staff. The program saw a terrific senior class depart after the 2024-25 campaign, headlined by John Tonje, Max Klesmit and Steven Crowl. It then retained rising juniors John Blackwell and Nolan Winter, plus added Nick Boyd (San Diego State), Andrew Rohde (Virginia), Austin Rapp (Portland), Carrington (Tulsa) and Gray via the transfer portal.

Wisconsin’s starting unit could go toe-to-toe with any in the Big Ten. It has two All-Conference hopefuls in Blackwell and Winter, an impressive veteran leader in Boyd and two knock-down 3-point shooters in Rohde and Rapp. Of course, nothing is set in stone until the group takes the court in November. But on paper, Wisconsin could have one of its best starting units of the last decade.