Wisconsin basketball landed a commitment from Temple veteran transfer forward Elijah Gray on Tuesday.
Gray, who was forecast on Monday to land with the Badgers, becomes Wisconsin’s fifth transfer portal commitment since the conclusion of the 2024-25 regular season. The 6-foot-8 forward is expected to play a pivotal role as a bench veteran with interior size and versatility.
“We’re excited to welcome Elijah to the Badger family,” coach Greg Gard told UWBadgers.com. “He brings a lot of experience to the table, having three years of college hoops under his belt. We’re excited to have him on campus this summer and work with us for the upcoming season.”
The North Carolina native entered the transfer portal on March 27 following a productive junior season with the Temple Owls. In 25 games as a reserve, Gray averaged 9 points on 48.1% shooting from the field, 3.8 rebounds and 19.8 minutes.
Gray joins transfers Nick Boyd (San Diego State), Andrew Rohde (Virginia), Austin Rapp (Portland) and Braeden Carrington (Tulsa) on Wisconsin’s 2025-26 squad. With the departures of John Tonje, five-year veteran Steven Crowl, starting guard Max Klesmit and bench assets Kamari McGee, Carter Gilmore and Xavier Amos, Gray fits well in the paint.
While 247Sports labeled the veteran as a two-star, the No. 82 small forward and No. 18 player from North Carolina during his recruiting process out of high school, Gray’s work ethic is notable. After playing a few minutes at Fordham, he took a leap as a sophomore: nine starts among 32 games played. His scoring increased by nearly six tallies per appearance, and he showcased his efficiency from the line with a 76.7% mark.
His workload with Wisconsin remains to be seen, but his veteran presence could emerge as a significant factor for Gard this coming season. He will see his first action in UW’s exhibition against Oklahoma in October.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: BREAKING: Wisconsin basketball lands commitment from veteran transfer forward
Reporting by Mike Hall, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
