On Thursday, Wisconsin Badgers’ guard Jordan Davis entered the transfer portal, announcing his intention to leave the program. This news comes as a surprise to many Wisconsin fans and followers, who had high hopes for Davis when he arrived at the program last year.
Davis struggled to find his rhythm in the Badgers’ first 16 games this season, averaging just 5.3 points per game while shooting 32% from the field. Head Coach Greg Gard made the decision to replace Davis in the starting lineup with true freshman guard Connor Essegian for the game against Penn State, a move that seemed to pay off for the team.
Essegian, who was rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, had an impressive debut in the starting lineup, scoring 10 points and grabbing three rebounds in the Badgers’ win over Penn State. His performance earned him high praise from Gard, who called him a “calming presence” on the court.
Essegian’s emergence as a key player for the Badgers may have been a factor in Davis’ decision to transfer. With Essegian’s strong play and potential for growth, it’s possible that Davis saw his role on the team diminishing and decided to look for opportunities elsewhere.
While Davis’ departure is undoubtedly a loss for the Badgers, the team can take solace in the fact that they have a talented young player in Essegian who is more than capable of filling the void. His performance against Penn State showed that he has the potential to be a key player for the team going forward.
It remains to be seen where Davis will end up, but it’s clear that his departure will have an impact on the Badgers’ roster. With the transfer portal becoming an increasingly common way for players to find new opportunities, it’s likely that this won’t be the last time we see a player leave a program mid-season. The Badgers will need to continue to adapt and adjust to these changes if they hope to remain competitive in the Big Ten.
