Wisconsin Badgers target Zavier Zens commits to Illinois

Despite receiving strong in-state interest from the University of Wisconsin and an offer from a coach he was familiar with at Utah State, Wisconsin Lutheran senior and Mr. Basketball winner Zavier Zens is taking his talents to Illinois. The senior announced his commitment in a post to X on April 17.

"What I was looking for was the best chance to develop, become the best player I can become," Zens told the Journal Sentinel exclusively in a phone call April 17. "Illinois, they arguably have the best team in the country coming in next year, and the chance to get to go up against them every day, along with the good development program and their record of developing guys, was really big to me. Obviously the fit and culture was right as well.

" Fresh off leading Wisconsin Lutheran to a three-peat at WIAA state and second perfect 30-0 season in the past three years, Zens became a hot commodity for programs looking to add a late Class of 2026 recruit. The 6-foot-7 senior requested a release from his NLI with Northern Iowa after coach Ben Jacobson left the program to take the same job at Utah State on March 30. Despite visiting with Jacobson at Utah State among a trio of official stops for him, Zens chose the Illini.

"Wisconsin and Utah State are amazing schools with amazing coaching staffs and really good track records, but I wanted to test myself and I think practicing up against the best players every day will ultimately let me become the best player I can be," Zens said. "I just thought that the benefits Illinois had to offer, and their belief in me even though they're a top-five team, top-10 team in the country, they believe in me and they think I can make an impact. " That approach to his decision came in part from numerous discussions over the week, including with his cousin, fellow Wisconsin Lutheran alum and current Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel.