Summer workouts have started for the Wisconsin Badgers, who have eight new faces to go with their six returning players for the 2026 season.

Last week, media got a first look at what the 2026-27 roster looks like, but there were two players who were not suited up for practice: forwards Nolan Winter and Austin Rapp.

Both players are returning from offseason procedures, with Winter undergoing ankle surgery on the foot that had been bothering him since high school. What’s the latest on their recovery and potential return?

“All good. I mean, both those guys are right on track for where our medical team wanted them to be,” Gard said about the duo. “It’s been good for our other guys too because it’s reps those two aren’t getting that somebody’s got to get. So I think it’s helped expedite maybe some of the development of some of those other guys that normally would be watching here.”

Rapp and Winter are set for key roles in the Badgers frontcourt this season, and were the team’s top priorities to retain in the offseason. In addition, Wisconsin added key size in the frontcourt with Victory Onuetu to form quality frontcourt depth to be more physical and balanced.

Without the scoring punch of a Nick Boyd or John Blackwell, the Badgers may have to be more balanced offensively this season, finding different ways to create shots. That should mean a step up in volume for Winter or Rapp, or even both this season.