Wisconsin Basketball Scouting Report: Nick Boyd, Transfer Guards Fit with Badgers
The combo guards round out a remarkably versatile Wisconsin basketball backcourt
Madison, WI — After taking away a few depth pieces from Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard's roster, the college basketball transfer portal has finally given back to Wisconsin basketball.
After building his most veteran-laden team in four seasons, Gard said goodbye to six seniors who had exhausted their eligibility. From Steven Crowl at starting center to Kamari McGee as a reserve point guard, Wisconsin must find pieces to help throughout its rotation.
Between the departures of Badgers' leading scorer John Tonje, three-year starter Max Klesmit, and sixth-man McGee, Gard is tasked with finding replacements for three guards that combined for over 80 minutes per game.
All three of those outgoing seniors arrived in Madison after transferring from other programs. Gard has again tapped the portal to rebuild his starting backcourt, adding his second transfer guard.
San Diego State Transfer Nick Boyd Commits to Wisconsin Basketball from Transfer Portal
After visiting Madison the last week of March, Nick Boyd has committed to the Wisconsin Badgers, as first reported by CBS and 24/7Sports. The combo guard took at least one other known visit with the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Boyd joins Wisconsin for his final season of collegiate eligibility after one season with the San Diego State Aztecs. He previously spent four seasons with the Florida Atlantic Owls under now University of Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May. In his redshirt freshman campaign, Boyd started for the Owls, averaging 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists en route to an appearance in the 2023 Final Four.
After May left Boca Raton to coach the eventual Big Ten Tournament champions in Ann Arbor, Boyd joined the head coach on the opposite side of that 2023 national semifinal: Brian Dutcher.
Boyd was ascendent in his one season under Dutcher. The six-foot-three redshirt junior led the Aztecs in minutes, scoring, and assists. Boyd was named to the All-Mountain West Second Team after recording 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per conference game.
New-Look Wisconsin Badgers and Nick Boyd: A Perfect Match?
Regardless of context, Boyd would have been a no-brainer add for the Badgers this off-season. Heck, he would have been a no-brainer addition for dozens of Division I programs. But, when you add in the context of what Gard has already brought in, it ups the addition of Boyd from a home run to a grand slam.
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