Practice has begun as of Monday morning and the boys basketball season is officially underway. The first games aren’t until next Tuesday, November 25, but there are a load of players to keep an eye on this season.

This week we’ll roll out pre-season all-state choices, broken down into the 2028, 2027, and 2026 grades. For the senior class (2026), we will list a first team of ten athletes, a second team of five more, and then a number of honorable mentions. For the junior class (2027), we will list a first and second team, and then a number of honorable mentions. For the sophomore class (2028), we will list a first team, and then a number of honorable mentions.

The talent in the state continues to grow, so many good basketball players will be left of these lists.

First Team

(listed alphabetically)

Oliver Belot, Homestead

Belot broke out as a sophomore for Homestead, leading the team in scoring at 16.4 points per game, while shooting over 43% from beyond the arc. Despite his 6-0 frame, Belot is quick off the bounce and can create scoring opportunities for himself by getting to the rim, his pull-up, or creating space for his shot from deep. He currently holds an offer from Menlo College, but projects to garner more attention over the next two years.

Max Jones, West Allis Central

Jones was a playmaker last year as a sophomore on a West Allis Central team that won 21 games a season ago. The 6-4 shooting guard averaged 14.5 points and knocked down 61 triples a season ago. He is a three level scorer and his production will likely only increase in his junior year. Jones currently holds offers from five Division 1 programs including in-state Green Bay.

Kager Knueppel, Wisconsin Lutheran

Knueppel plays with the poise and understanding of a seasoned basketball player. Adding to that is a 6-9 frame that can score from anywhere in the half court, rebound efficiently, and facilitate at a high level. Like older brother Kon, Kager’s footwork sets him apart where he is patient in tight spaces. Knueppel currently holds D1 offers from Butler, DePaul, and Toledo.

Austin Luchetti, Monona Grove

Luchetti is a 6-7 wing that aggressively attacks defenders downhill, but also can score in the mid-range and from deep. He plays in control at all times and changes speed and direction well on the perimeter. Luchetti averaged 15.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game a season ago and will lead a young Silver Eagles squad that will battle for a Badger-Large crown and also look to make a deep playoff run. Luchetti has Division 2 offers from Lake Superior State and Northern Michigan going into the season.

JT Meyer, Bay Port

Meyer will have a change of scenery as a family move from Monroe to Bay Port will have him suiting up for the Pirates in 2025. The addition of JT and his older brother JJ immediately pushes Bay Port into the contender category in the FRCC and Division 1. JT is a 6-8 forward that averaged 13 points at Monroe a season ago. His size and length cause issues on the defensive side while his ever improving offensive skillset are a cause for concern for opposing defenders.

Second Team

Zare Gwinn, Racine Park

Gwinn is a bully of a guard that does a lot of good things on the basketball court for head coach Casey Robbins at Racine Park. Coming off a Division 2 state runner-up finish, Gwinn showcased his skillset on the biggest stage in the state last March. He’s a ball handler’s nightmare on defense where he uses his quickness and physicality to agitate players on the perimeter. Offensively, he averaged 14.3 points and 2.3 assists per game as a junior.

Reece Jordan Jr., Madison La Follette

Jordan is the top returning scorer back in the Big Eight this season, having averaged 18.4 points a season ago for the Lancers. He’s a high IQ combo guard that can score at all three levels and does a great job of facilitating to teammates.

Will Krueger, De Pere

Krueger will step into an expanded role this winter with De Pere after two very good classes graduated in 2024 and 2025. He’s had a great club season, having earned Division 2 offers from Lake Superior State and Michigan Tech. The 6-5 wing has shot up the rankings and 2025 figures to be a big year.

Evan Ploeckelman, Mukwonago

Ploeckelman continues to improve for Mukwonago, having averaged 13 points per game a season ago. The 6-6 forward is comfortable with his back to the basket but also has the skills to attack the rim from a face-up or perimeter. He’ll be tested nightly in the Classic Eight, which will allow him to showcase his ability throughout the year.

Trey Resch, Arrowhead

Resch does not stop on the basketball court. He’s constantly attacking the rim, putting pressure on opposing defenses, and defending the full court. The 6-2 combo guard is part of a talented junior backcourt at Arrowhead that figure to be one of the better teams in the Classic Eight and Division 1. Resch averaged 15.2 points and 2.9 assists as a sophomore, and is coming into his third season on the varsity team.

Michael Rogers Jr., Homestead

Rogers is a lights out shooter that pairs with Oliver Belot to form one of the top junior backcourts in the state. Despite being 5-11, his shiftiness and ability to create space sets him apart as he holds Division 1 offers from La Salle and Milwaukee. Rogers averaged 12.8 points per game a season ago, making 59 triples at a 41.3% clip.

Will Stremlow, Verona

Stremlow has poised for a breakout season after missing time last year with injury and also have a very deep 2025 class ahead of him. He’s already proven that during the club season where he’s picked up Division 2 offers from Michigan Tech and South Dakota School of Mines. The 6-2 combo guard can dominate games with his ability score at all three levels and is poised for a huge senior year with Verona.

Mikey White, Kenosha Bradford

White can flat out score the ball and does so from the perimeter at a high clip. Last season with Bradford he averaged 15.4 points and shot 44.6% from the arc with 79 made triples. White currently holds offers from Division 1 programs Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Eastern Illinois. The 5-11 shooting guard gets his shot up with great shot prep, footwork, and a quick release.

Honorable Mentions: Blake Basich, Arrowhead; Cole Betker, Racine Park; Jayden Burrell, Milwaukee Hamilton; Wes Ducharme, Waunakee; Isaiah Fox, West Allis Central; Jacob Jungwirth, Neenah; Alex Krause, Kimberly; Alex Kuepper, Hartford; Michael Lewis, Racine Case; DJ Nash, Madison East; Theo Toeppe, Arrowhead

About the Author

Colton Wilson serves a contributor and member of Bound Wisconsin. Wilson has worked in high school sports for 10 years, covering the state of Wisconsin in various sports. He has had roles in content creation, boys basketball coverage, director of events, and data management. Wilson is a graduate of Richland Center High School where he will currently serves as the Varsity Reserve boys basketball coach, entering his eleventh year coaching at the high school level. Wilson also has officiated basketball and organized youth tournaments for multiple years. You can follow him on Twitter at @ColtonWilson23 or reach him at [email protected].

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