Official 2026 Panther Basketball Recruit List

[PantherAlum09]

Zavier Zens is off to quite the start this year. He already has such a great polished game on offense. I hope he loves it here and stays 4 years because he is going to be special.

I linked the video of the game from the other day, but there's another video of just his highlights that I can't link. You also get a sense of how dominant their team is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpXigvVwhmk&t=519s

[PantherAlum09]

Sounds like we have been in contact with Jordan Sigmon recently. Not really sure what the story is with him. He's from Detroit but is now in Norwalk, IA and playing for Iowa United. He has offers from Alabama, LSU, Vanderbilt, and others but hasn't had an offer in over a year. He looks like a talented athletic point guard.

[orangetennis]

Zavier Zens is off to quite the start this year. He already has such a great polished game on offense. I hope he loves it here and stays 4 years because he is going to be special.

I linked the video of the game from the other day, but there's another video of just his highlights that I can't link. You also get a sense of how dominant their team is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpXigvVwhmk&t=519s

Zens will start from day 1. He could be a really special Panther. So skilled.

[Wxcpanther]

Zens will start from day 1. He could be a really special Panther. So skilled.

This feels unlikely, especially with (hopefully) Wilson coming off his redshirt season. I can absolutely see him being in the rotation, and being important, but starting feels like a massive stretch.

[Fran McCrabby]

This feels unlikely, especially with (hopefully) Wilson coming off his redshirt season. I can absolutely see him being in the rotation, and being important, but starting feels like a massive stretch.

I hope your right, but after the high expectations we had for Wes Rubin I'm cautious.

[BCPanther]

I hope your right, but after the high expectations we had for Wes Rubin I'm cautious.

Borderline Top 150 kid vs Kid that got recruited because his brother was good isn't exactly the right comparison.

Rubin had the tools but absolutely zero work ethic and that showed up quick. Wilson doesn't have that issue and is much more talented.

[Fran McCrabby]

Borderline Top 150 kid vs Kid that got recruited because his brother was good isn't exactly the right comparison.

Rubin had the tools but absolutely zero work ethic and that showed up quick. Wilson doesn't have that issue and is much more talented.

If Wilson doesn't have that issue he would be playing this year. Sounds to me that he needs more work with conditioning aka Wes Rubin.

[GoPanthers85]

If Wilson doesn't have that issue he would be playing this year. Sounds to me that he needs more work with conditioning aka Wes Rubin.

IIRC Jake talked about Wilson needing to add strength which is different than coming in out of shape. Wilson was also in the ESPN Top 100 until the end of last year.

Also, Zens played a game against another #1 ranked team in Wisco. The other team featured a 4* kid that has lots of P4 offers and Zens was clearly the best player on the court! PS - I wouldn't mind seeing UNI go after Kager Knuepple (Kons little brother) but I think he will really blow up this year and especially next.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3_CSNVGYSQ

[BCPanther]

If Wilson doesn't have that issue he would be playing this year. Sounds to me that he needs more work with conditioning aka Wes Rubin.

He needs to ADD weight and strength not drop 30 pounds like Rubin did.

[orangetennis]

It's pretty clear when you watch tape on each. Zens is more comfortable on the perimeter, more smooth with his jump shot, deeper range, better with his off hand, even elevates higher than Wilson. His body is more college ready too. I'm not trying to knock Wilson, he is skilled too, but Zens is more skilled.

A good comp for Zens is Cooper Flagg. I'm obviously not trying to say he's as good as Flagg, but his game is similar. It's a smooth all court game. We essentially never get that type of player at UNI. Wilson plays more back to the basket, with ability to hit jump shots and can stretch out to 3. He's like a Carlos Boozer, type I'd say. I think this is why he red shirted. His body wasn't D1 ready for his game style. I hope this year is enough to have him ready for next fall. Good recruits just don't redshirt anymore. It has me worried a bit with Wilson. But Zens...very excited for Zens!

[CletusCat]

I had the impression Wilson redshirting this year was partly his decision. He knew his body needed a year to adjust to the college game. I don't think he will be a Wes Rubin, he has a work ethic.

With the way Kon Knueppel is playing in the NBA, I don't think anyone is going to overlook the younger brothers. He's probably out of our reach.

Zens seems like he could be special. A player with that size and feel for the game doesn't come here often. Last one was probably Tuttle and he was a 4/5. If he has the fluidity, ball handling and shooting for the wing, look out!

[Wxcpanther]

I had the impression Wilson redshirting this year was partly his decision. He knew his body needed a year to adjust to the college game. I don't think he will be a Wes Rubin, he has a work ethic.

With the way Kon Knueppel is playing in the NBA, I don't think anyone is going to overlook the younger brothers. He's probably out of our reach.

Zens seems like he could be special. A player with that size and feel for the game doesn't come here often. Last one was probably Tuttle and he was a 4/5. If he has the fluidity, ball handling and shooting for the wing, look out!

Yes Wilson came to Jake and said he thought this was the best thing for him to add strength and be more college ready. Reality is he was going to at most have Hutchens minutes, likely less this season. Next year there will likely be more available at the 3-4 with Tristan and Schwieger gone.

[PantherAlum09]

I decided to check up on our recruits and see how their senior seasons are going and there's a ton of promise here:

Player	PPG	FG%	EFG%	3Pt%	FT%	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG
Zavier Zens	26.2	62.2	68.4	42.4	68.4	5.8	4.2	0.6	1.8
Will Gerdes	19.8	75.4	78.0	42.9	63.6	7.0	3.5	2.1	1.2
Jordan Boyd	12.6	50.0	--	32.4	86.4	6.3	3.4	0.1	1.3

Zens is having an incredible season and putting himself squarely in the discussion for Wisconsin Mr. Basketball.

Gerdes is having another insanely efficient season and leading Cedar Falls to another top finish this year.

Boyd's stats are less eye popping, but I really just can't seem to find a whole lot. He is a very strong rebounder for a guard and shoots free throws very well. His numbers have been trending up as the season has gone on.

I'll keep track of this as the season goes and update information in the future.

[Panther AC]

Thanks for the update, 09! Lots of potential with these three.

[CletusCat]

Kon Knueppel was on the Bill Simmons podcast this week and gave his cousin, Zavier Zens, a shout-out. Even mentioned he was committed to Northern Iowa.