Wisconsin comes in to 2014 with just one scholarship player added to the roster (Ethan Happ). However, on Monday the Badgers made long-rumored walk-on prospects Matt Ferris and T.J. Schlundt officially part of the team.
Both hail from Wisconsin, with Ferris attending Appleton Xavier and Schlundt attending both Oconomowoc and St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy.
Schlundt became the first player in SJNMA history to play for the post-graduate team as a senior in high school, averaging 17.5 points per game. He also tallied over 1,000 points in just three years at Oconomowoc High School.
“TJ had an outstanding career at both Oconomowoc and St. John’s Military Academy and declined numerous scholarship opportunities to be a Badger,” Ryan said. “He is excited to join us and start working in June with our returning players and staff. I’m looking forward to helping him strive toward all his goals on and off the court in the coming years.”
Ferris was a three-sport star for Appleton Xavier, leading the Hawks to an 18-5 record and a league title while averaging 14.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game and shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc.
He was perhaps better known on the football field, where as a quarterback for the Hawks he threw for 3,949 yards, 50 touchdowns and threw eight touchdown passes in one game. Both the Associated Press and Gatorade recognized Ferris as state player of the year, while the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association named him offensive player of the year.
“Matt is coming off a tremendous career in multiple sports at Appleton Xavier,” Ryan added. “I’ve always held an affinity for multi-sport athletes and Matt is no exception. His ability to balance heavy loads of academics and athletics will serve him well here at Wisconsin. We are excited to get started with Matt beginning his journey as a Badger next month.”
However, Ferris’ future was in basketball and both players were long-rumored to be preferred walk-on’s for UW. Today they were officially enrolled at the university and thus the school was officially allowed to announce their status with the team.
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