Badger Basketball Exit Meetings: Is Austin Rapp ready for a bigger role?

Outside of Nolan Winter, Austin Rapp was arguably Wisconsin’s most important player retention of the offseason. It was a rocky road in his sophomore season, but one that I felt ended on a positive note individually, especially given his early struggles.

As does every returning player in this series, Rapp will face an opportunity for an expanded role next season, so here is one last analysis of his first season in red and white before we turn that page.

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2025-26 stats (23.1 minutes per game)

9.7 PPG, 4 RPG, 1.6 APG | 41.9% FG, 36.3% 3-pt, 85.4% FT

2025-26 High

It wouldn’t be a complete season recap for Rapp without mentioning his heater against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament. In what was one of the best shot-making displays from any Badger this season, he willed Wisconsin back into the game against the best team in the country, giving them a chance to take down the eventual champs for the second time of the season.

However, there was a two game stretch earlier in the year which may not have been quite as exhilarating, but what I felt was the most important of the season for the Portland transfer. On Jan. 31, Rapp re-emerged as a viable piece in the Wisconsin frontcourt, highlighted by his first-half outburst en route to 19 points and six rebounds on 7-for-10 shooting, and 5-for-7 from deep.

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Unfortunately, he missed the ensuing game at Indiana, which obviously ended in controversial fashion. Rapp’s encore, however, was even more spectacular. On Feb. 10 at Illinois, he scored 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting, 4-for-7 from three, and added five rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. His performance was massive for Wisconsin, as you don’t beat a Final Four team on the road without role players stepping up.

The heat check to lead a monstrous near-upset rally against the eventual champions may have been the most fun few minutes of the season for Badger fans, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Rapp’s back-to-back games against Ohio State and…

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Publish date : 2026-05-20 00:47:00

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