The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball coaches remain in contact with Jackson McAndrew, a versatile forward from Wayzata (Minnesota) High School.
The 2024 recruit, who has offers from UW, Creighton, Iowa, Nebraska and more, will participate in the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association’s D-I showcase event with his summer team, Howard Pulley Basketball, and continue through the rest of his summer schedule with his recruitment “open.”
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A decision will “probably end up being in August,” he said. Or maybe late July. Or September.
“Not completely (thinking about it yet),” McAndrew said. “So I want to get out to some places that I haven’t seen yet and check back in on the ones I have and stuff like that. So, (my commitment) probably won’t be for a little bit.”
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McAndrew would bring versatility as a 6-foot-8 forward with shooting ability to threaten in different spots.
His Wayzata team is coming off a state championship, knocking out Lakeville North (Minnesota) High School in the semifinals of the Class AAAA Minnesota High School League state tournament, a school that featured two soon-to-be UW players in 2023 center Nolan Winter and 2024 classmate and forward Jack Robison. Robison remains the only committed player in the 2024 class.
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McAndrew had already taken an official visit to UW on Oct. 21 but is planning another unofficial visit with the staff, whom he noted he hears from “once a week” — normally assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft or coach Greg Gard. McAndrew had attended UW games for unofficial visits throughout the season and said that there could be another official visit in the works eventually, too, but “we haven’t really talked about that yet.”
Men’s basketball recruits can take five official visits during their junior year of high school and five more after Aug. 1 of their senior year, NCAA rule 13.6.2.2.3 states.
McAndrew first played in front of the Badgers at a UW Elite Camp when he was in the ninth grade, and UW reached out the first day they were legally able to contact him this past year following up with an offer McAndrew announced on Sep. 3, 2022. On his official visit — which he noted dives into team or system fit much more than unofficial visits he’s taken — the staff ran through how it could use McAndrew within the offense, which has always had versatile bigs in its lineup.
“Obviously my skill level (they like). Elite shooter,” McAndrew said. “They just love how much I get better every year and continue to get better.”
Jackson McAndrew poses for a photo with coach Greg Gard at the UW -Purdue football game Oct. 22, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium.
In addition to UW, McAndrew said he’s visited Creighton, Iowa, Northern Iowa and St. Thomas. He’s scheduled visits with Xavier, Notre Dame and has been discussing a potential visit with Virginia Tech, which is his latest announced offer on April 25. He plans to return to Creighton for an official visit, too, which would be the only school that he’s visited officially twice — a list the Badgers could soon be on.
But he’s in no rush to cut down a list of finalists.
“That’s still a ways away,” he said.
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) blocks the shot of Maryland Terrapins guard Jahmir Young (1) in the first half at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl is introduced before Tuesday’s game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl attempts to shoot as Michigan State center Carson Cooper puts his hands in Crowl’s face during the second half of the Badgers’ 69-65 loss to the Spartans on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn’s (23) shoulder hits Michigan State Spartans guard Tre Holloman (5) in the face in the first half of the game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin’s bench celebrates after the Badgers made three 3-pointers in a row against Rutgers during the second half of the Scarlet Knights’ 58-57 win over the Badgers on Saturday at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Davis (2) reacts as he stands next to forward Steven Crowl (22) in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit goes in for a hook shot against Purdue center Zach Edey March 2 at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) looks back in the first half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian goes in for a layup against Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi during the second half of the Badgers’ 58-57 loss to the Scarlet Knights on Feb. 18, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished the game with two points on 0-for-10 shooting from the field.
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn attempts to pass the ball against the Penn State Tuesday at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers, including guard Kamari McGee (4), guard Max Klesmit (11), forward Carter Gilmore (14), forward Steven Crowl (22), guard Chucky Hepburn (23), forward Tyler Wahl (5) sing Varsity after their victory over Minnesota Golden Gophers 63-60 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin forwards Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl smile as “Varsity” plays after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions Tuesday at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn makes his entrance onto the court before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions Tuesday at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) smiles during the second half of the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) looks to pass the ball Illinois Fighting Illini forward Matthew Mayer (24) in the second half of the game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) is introduced before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian dunks the ball in the first half of the Badgers’ 64-59 victory over the Michigan Wolverines on Tuesday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl shoots the ball against Michigan center Hunter Dickinson, left, and forward Will Tschetter in the first half of the Badgers’ 64-59 victory over the Wolverines on Tuesday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee celebrates in the second half of the Badgers’ 64-59 victory over the Michigan Wolverines on Tuesday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
The Wisconsin student section celebrates the first shot made against Michigan in the first half of the Badgers’ 64-59 victory over the Wolverines on Tuesday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin Badgers guard Connor Essegian (3) takes the court before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard yells at his players during the first half of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights’ 58-57 win over the Badgers on Saturday at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) dunks the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second half at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) shoots the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second half at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) runs onto the court before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard yells at players to sub in the game in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn (23) is introduced before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers guard Connor Essegian (3) shoots the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half at the Kohl Center on Thursday.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots against Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi during the second half of the Badgers’ 58-57 loss to the Scarlet Knights on Feb. 18 at the Kohl Center. Essegian finished the game with two points on 0-for-10 shooting from the field.
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl walks to the bench after picking up a foul during the second half of the Badgers’ 61-51 loss to the Fighting Illini on Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn drives to the basket against Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. during the second half of the Badgers’ 61-51 loss to the Fighting Illini on Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn talks with head coach Greg Gard during the second half of the Badgers’ 61-51 loss to the Fighting Illini on Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore reacts after the Badgers caught up to the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian shoots during the first half of the Badgers’ 61-51 loss to the Fighting Illini on Saturday at the Kohl Center in Madison.
UW guard Max Klesmit drives for a loose ball against Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. during the first half of Saturday’s 61-51 loss at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore goes up for a dunk as time expires in the Badgers’ 63-60 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit fights for the loose ball against Minnesota forward Jaden Henley during the first half of the Badgers’ 63-60 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn steals the ball from Minnesota guard Ta’Lon Cooper during the second half of the Badgers’ 63-60 win over the Golden Gophers on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin’s Steven Crowl shoots over Michigan State center Mady Sissoko during the first half of the Badgers’ 69-65 loss to the Spartans on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore grabs a rebound during the first half of the Badgers’ 77-66 win over the Western Michigan Broncos on Friday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian sticks his tongue out after making a 3-pointer in the second half of the Badgers’ 63-60 win over Penn State on Jan. 17, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison. Essegian finished with 10 points in the win.
Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl throws down his second dunk of the game during the second half of the Badgers’ 77-66 win over the Western Michigan Broncos on Friday night at the Kohl Center in Madison.