The WBCA is very pleased to announce the 2026 Boys and Girls Basketball Elite Academic All-State Award to 15 male athletes and 15 female athletes.
To be recognized, WBCA member coaches were required to nominate their athletes. Minimum requirements for nomination included seniors with a GPA of at least 3.5 and an ACT score of at least 25. Nominating coaches could also provide additional information including on-court statistics, awards and accolades, and a personal narrative.
These individuals truly represent the best of the best for student-athletes in the state of Wisconsin.
The WBCA Executive Board selected the 15 boys and 15 girls recipients from the list of nominees.
As previously announced, the WBCA, in a continued quest to recognize the outstanding work of the student-athletes around Wisconsin, has modified and expanded the Academic All-State program beginning in 2023.
Today the Elite Academic All-State list is announced. The regular Academic All-State lists for boys and girls were announced earlier and can be found below, along with the Team Academic All-State winners.
WBCA 2026 ELITE INDIVIDUAL ACADEMIC ALL-STATE
BOYS:
Jake Broeske, Lomira
Matthew Carollo, Whitewater
Gavin Coury, Marquette
Cade Dirkse, Oostburg
Cade Felch, D.C. Everest
Jed Henderson, Rib Lake
Andrew Jensen, Kaukauna
Evan Kern, New Berlin West
Tyson Labus, West Salem
Carson Marks, Saint Croix Falls
Anthony Miller, Madison Memorial
Travis Theisen, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau
Ryan Westrich, Bonduel
Brady Wolfram, Lakeside Lutheran
Jamison Zavatchin, Oostburg
GIRLS:
Maysem Abubaker, Salam
Natalie Backhaus, Wisconsin Dells
Kelly Boinski, Catholic Memorial
Madison Eberhardt, Martin Luther
Macey Faust, Edgewood
Giselle Janowski, Pewaukee
Ava Koch, Omro
Natalie Kussow, Arrowhead
Molly Olson, Albany/Monticello
Hayley Quinn, River Falls
Rory Salvesen, Wittenberg-Birnamwood
Teagan Schoenecker, Oregon
Adaline Sheplee, Rice Lake
Ella Van Order, Pacelli
Brooke Wolf, Webster
WBCA Academic All-State Procedures
Please see below for the two different Academic All-State paths:
ACADEMIC ALL-STATE
This is new beginning in 2023, and requires that nominated athletes be varsity players from any grade level and hold a GPA of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale). These players will receive a WBCA certificate from their school.
ELITE ACADEMIC ALL-STATE
This will be similar to what the WBCA has produced in the past, incorporating more robust academic review and incorporating on-court performance as well. This recognition continues to be for SENIORS ONLY. This is the best of the best combining all aspects of what it means to be a student-athlete. Nominees are reviewed by a selection committee and only 15 boys and 15 girls will be selected for the Elite Academic All-State team. These 15 boys and 15 girls players will be recognized at the WBCA All-State Banquet and receive plaques recognizing their accomplishment. Please note that all players nominated for Elite Academic All-State are automatically part of the regular Academic All-State list.
Nomination information was provided to all coaches, and recognition on the list is dependent on coach nomination and possible verification with schools.
Travis Wilson serves as the Bound Wisconsin Manager. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisBound or reach him at [email protected].
