Wisconsin Lutheran Star Zavier Zens Schedules Visits With Top Programs

The 6-foot-7 reigning Mr. Basketball has three Division I offers on the table after being released from his NLI with Northern Iowa.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:18am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic action on the court.Zavier Zens' recruitment has taken an unexpected turn, with the Wisconsin Lutheran star now weighing options from several top college programs.Green Bay Today

Wisconsin Lutheran's Zavier Zens has visits with two schools on the calendar for mid-April, and is reporting three offers since being granted a release from his National Letter of Intent with Northern Iowa on March 31. The 6-foot-7 reigning Mr. Basketball will be heading to Utah State for an official visit with former Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson, and will also visit Wisconsin after the Badgers extended a scholarship offer this week.

Why it matters

Zens' recruitment has taken an interesting turn after his initial commitment to Northern Iowa, with several high-major programs now vying for his services. As one of the top high school players in Wisconsin, his decision will have a significant impact on the state's college basketball landscape.

The details

Zens told the Journal Sentinel that his experiences with the Northern Iowa program under Jacobson were "awesome" and that the team's chemistry was a big draw. He'll now get a chance to see Utah State's program up close. The Badgers have also entered the mix, with Zens impressed by their facilities and coaching staff during a previous unofficial visit. Illinois and Colorado State have also offered, though communication with Illinois has been limited due to their Final Four run.

  • Zens will visit Utah State on April 10.
  • Zens will visit Wisconsin on April 13.

The players

Zavier Zens

A 6-foot-7 reigning Mr. Basketball in Wisconsin who was previously committed to Northern Iowa.

Ben Jacobson

The new head coach at Utah State, who previously coached Zens at Northern Iowa.

Greg Gard

The head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, who have offered Zens a scholarship.

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What they’re saying

“The way their team got along together and the way their coaches got along together with the players and each other was awesome to see. That was something that was important to me.”

— Zavier Zens, Wisconsin Lutheran Basketball Player

“It was an amazing place, and I was able to talk to coach Greg Gard in person, and then he took us around campus. It was super cool to see. This time I would hope to meet some of the players that are returning, and ask them some questions and spend more time with the staff.”

— Zavier Zens, Wisconsin Lutheran Basketball Player

What’s next

Zens will continue to evaluate his options as the NCAA transfer portal opens from April 7-21, though no school has given him a firm deadline to make a decision.

The takeaway

Zens' recruitment has taken an interesting turn, with several high-major programs now pursuing the talented Wisconsin native. His decision will have a significant impact on the state's college basketball landscape as he looks to find the best fit for his next chapter.