Badger Observer

Badger Observer

Coach: Wisconsin basketball commit Jack Thelen 'one of the best kids I've coached in a long time'

Catching up with D1 Minnesota coach Kevin Wesseh about the future Badgers big man.

Jake Kocorowski's avatar
Jake Kocorowski
Jun 25, 2026
∙ Paid
Badgers huddle together on the court during their Oct. 24 exhibition against Oklahoma at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Credit: Jake Kocorowski/Badger Observer

A hustle play during a highly-touted AAU matchup gave a glimpse of what Jack Thelen could do at the collegiate level.

It was over a month ago where Thelen, now a University of Wisconsin basketball commit, and D1 Minnesota were in “The Hoosier State” to play Indiana Elite. D1 Minnesota coach Kevin Wesseh estimated it was a standing-room-only crowd with coaches “wrapped around the gym.”

“And Jack, being as a 7-footer, he made a diving play on the ball, and I think that kind of got the attention of everyone,” Wesseh told Badger Observer last week.

Badger Observer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Jake Kocorowski.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Jake Kocorowski · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture