Badgers Targeting Mid-Major Standout from Neenah in Transfer Portal

Which mid-major backcourt player will Greg Gard turn into a Big Ten superstar?

It’s a question that might’ve seemed ridiculous a mere three years ago. But after the exploits of Nick Boyd (San Diego State), John Tonje (who initially committed to New Mexico out of the portal), and AJ Storr (who came from St. John’s before Rick Pitino revitalized it), it’s become a tradition for Wisconsin basketball: take a dynamic player from a smaller school and turn them into a star in Madison.

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With six roster spots currently open and the top two players from the 2025-26 season – by a wide margin – set to depart the program, Gard and his staff have no choice but to work their transfer portal magic once again.

With the portal officially open until April 21, rosters are being constructed and deconstructed rapidly every single day. Wisconsin has already suffered transfer three departures, but the Badgers are in the process of reloading. One target Gard and company have highlighted? Former Neenah standout Chevalier “Ice” Emery.

Emery’s winding college journey

Emery has already had a storied college career. After leading Neenah High School to a state title, he signed with Merrimack. However, he only played in 15 games and averaged just 2.7 minutes as a freshman. That lack of involvement led him to transfer to the JUCO Dodge City Community College as a sophomore, where he averaged 17.4 points per game.

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That led to an opportunity with Western Carolina, where he averaged 9.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 24.8 minutes with 14 starts in 30 games. From there, he transferred to Cleveland State, where he spent the 2025-26 season.

Chevalier Emery in his Western Carolina days. | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Emery came off the bench with Cleveland State, but he still made a huge impact with the Vikings. He was the Horizon League Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 12.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 38.2 percent from distance. He had six games in which he…

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Publish date : 2026-04-11 21:39:00

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