Wisconsin's Hayden Jones Showcases Skills at FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup
Hayden Jones, a highly-touted basketball prospect from New Zealand, has officially joined the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team. The 6-foot-7 forward, who enrolled at the university this past June, is set to make his debut for the Badgers in the 2025-26 season.
Jones' international career has been nothing short of impressive. He led New Zealand to their best-ever finish at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in 2025, where he averaged 14.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. His standout performance included two games where he surpassed 20 points, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure and contribute as a versatile forward.
In the third-place game of the tournament, Jones scored a impressive 21 points and collected seven rebounds, bouncing back from a tough semifinal game against Team USA. This performance not only showcased his resilience, but also his maturity and readiness for college competition.
Greg Gard, the coach of the Wisconsin men's basketball team, has expressed excitement about the addition of Jones to their program. His international experience and proven ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game (scoring, rebounding, playmaking) will add depth and versatility to Wisconsin’s roster.
Jones' versatility will be a key asset for the Badgers, who were already projected to be a top-30 team nationally. His scoring ability, both inside and out, will provide valuable scoring depth, while his rebounding and defensive presence at the wing position will give Wisconsin more options and flexibility in their rotations.
In summary, Hayden Jones is poised to make an immediate impact for the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2025-26 season. His international success, especially as a leader in scoring and rebounding for New Zealand’s U19 team, highlights his versatility and readiness for college basketball, which should help bolster Wisconsin's wing play and overall team depth.
| Statistic | Hayden Jones (FIBA U19) | |-------------------|-------------------------| | Points per game | 14.6 | | Rebounds per game | 7.7 | | Assists per game | 3.0 | | Key Games | 2x 20+ points | | Height | 6’7” |
[1] ESPN. (2025). Hayden Jones profile. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/ncb/player/_/id/5099228/hayden-jones
[2] NCAA. (2025). Wisconsin Badgers roster. [online] Available at: https://www.ncaa.com/team/wisconsin-badgers-men-s-basketball
[3] KenPom.com. (2025). Wisconsin Badgers 2025-26 team preview. [online] Available at: https://kenpom.com/team/wisconsin/2025-26/
[4] FIBA. (2025). 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup third-place game. [online] Available at: https://www.fiba.basketball/competitions/u19/2025/third-place/game/41805
Hayden Jones' college basketball career with the Wisconsin Badgers is anticipated to showcase his versatility, particularly in scoring and rebounding, honed through his success in international tournaments like the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game, such as playmaking, aligns with the NBA standards, hinting at his potential to excel in the world's premier basketball league in the future.
