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USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball recruit named Nelson Giants Club Young Player of the Year
Wisconsin basketball commit Hayden Jones was named the Nelson Giants Club Young Player of the Year for the 2025 season on Friday. In addition to the Young Player of the Year honor, Jones pocketed Rapid League MVP nods for the Nelson Giants, which recognizes his efforts during a 4-minute quarter game played before the Giants' main contest in the New Zealand National Basketball League. As a 17-year-old, Jones averaged 9.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 20.6 minutes per game for the Giants. He did so off 44.8% shooting from the floor and 35.9% from 3-point range in 17 total games played. Jones added to his 2025 output during a wildly productive stint with New Zealand at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland. While his country earned a fourth-place finish, Jones often appeared as the most talented player on the hardwood. In seven games, the future Badger averaged a game-best 14.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest. He also notched 3.0 assists and 1.1 blocks in just under 29 minutes per appearance. Jones committed to Wisconsin's program back on July 25, 2024, just a few weeks after suiting up for New Zealand at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey. During the circuit, the class of 2025 product averaged nearly 12 points per game as the fourth-youngest player to ever debut for the country's senior national team. The future Badger now has three seasons with the Nelson Giants under his belt, plus further international experience at the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Qatar. In just a few months, he will join sophomore guard Jack Janicki, senior guard Braeden Carrington, senior forward Elijah Gray, freshman forward Aleksas Bieliauskas, freshman guard Zach Kinziger, sophomore center Riccardo Greppi, sophomore guard Jack Robison and freshman center Will Garlock on UW's bench unit. Jones' place in the rotation will not be determined until Wisconsin begins its 2025-26 campaign this fall, but his development will be noteworthy. His ability to impact a game at such a young age is evident, and he will look to earn minutes when the Badgers begin the season with an exhibition against Oklahoma in October. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
29-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball commits secure early win for New Zealand at 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup
Wisconsin basketball commits Jackson Ball and Hayden Jones showed out in New Zealand's opening win of the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Saturday. Pitted against Argentina in the squad's opening contest of the group stage, Ball and Jones helped New Zealand overcome an early 13-tally deficit to pocket a 77-72 win. Ball, who committed to Greg Gard's program on March 3, dropped a team-best 17 points, snared five rebounds and dished out three assists in over 33 minutes of action. Jones, Ball's fellow UW commit, dropped nine points, corralled a game-high 12 boards and denied two shot attempts in just under 21 minutes against Argentina. The two future Badgers combined for 15 of New Zealand's 21 points in a pivotal fourth quarter, a 10-minute period that saw Argentina hold a four-point edge with roughly seven minutes to spare. New Zealand will square off next against Mali on June 29 for an opportunity to bolster its standing in Pool A. If the squad earns a 3-0 mark, it will advance to the knockout stage with a favorable route to reach the quarterfinal, semifinal, or championship round. Both Jones and Ball boast previous FIBA experience, having suited up for New Zealand at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey in 2024. In that event, Jones averaged nearly 12 points per game as the fourth-youngest player to debut for the senior national team. His team eventually fell to an American team rostering future lottery NBA picks, Cameron Boozer and A.J. Dybantsa. At 6-foot-7, Jones has also laced up for the Nelson Giants in the New Zealand National Basketball League for the past two seasons, as well as tallied 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists for his country at the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Qatar. Ball, another NBL talent, averaged just under 20 points off 48.9% from the field for the Hawke's Bay Hawks in 16 appearances before venturing to Switzerland for U19 action. Jones is set to join the Badgers during the 2025 season, while Ball will wait until the fall of 2026 to make his impact in Madison. Regardless, their exposure against some of the most prestigious basketball talents in the world allows both prospects to absorb unique moments they may not find at the collegiate level. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Wisconsin basketball commits to represent New Zealand at 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup
Two Wisconsin basketball commits to represent New Zealand at 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup A pair of Wisconsin basketball commits are set to represent New Zealand at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, this summer. Class of 2026 shooting guard Jackson Ball and class of 2025 signee Hayden Jones will suit up for New Zealand's 12-man roster from June 28 to July 6 for an opportunity to clinch a gold medal for their country. Jones, who committed to Wisconsin's program on July 25, 2024, suited up for New Zealand at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey. There, he averaged nearly 12 points per game as the fourth-youngest player to debut for the senior national team. Jones and company fell to the United States, which rostered players such as Cameron Boozer and A.J. Dybantsa. The 6-foot-7 guard has also suited up for the Nelson Giants in the New Zealand National Basketball League for the past two seasons, plus previously registered 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists for New Zealand during its runner-up finish at the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Qatar. Ball, who announced his pledge to Greg Gard's program on March 3, also laced up for New Zealand in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. At 6 feet, 4 inches, the 2026 prospect has showcased his offensive prowess for the Hawke's Bay Hawks in the NBL this spring, averaging over 22 points off 54.7% shooting from the field in 13 games through May 19. Jones and Ball join notable college signees on New Zealand's 2025 squad, such as Oscar Goodman (Michigan), Julius Halaifonua (Georgetown) and Tama Isaac (UC Irvine), an indication of how significant international basketball recruiting has become in the sport's landscape. The experience for both Ball and Jones is certainly encouraging for Badger fans. The development and professional exposure should prepare the duo even more for what they will encounter in the United States, regardless of where New Zealand places in the circuit. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
