Wisconsin Lands Sleeper 2014 Recruit From Quad Cities Area

By Roy & Harv Schmidt

June 26, 2012

7:45 P.M. CST

University Of Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan knows talent when he sees it.  Not only that, but he has proven to be a master when it comes to developing relative unknowns.  Sure enough, Ryan has uncovered yet another hidden gem who could prove to be a valuable part of the Badgers basketball future.

We say all of this in light of the fact that today Wisconsin received a commitment from 6'7 2014 wing forward Ethan Happ from Taylor-Rockridge High School, a small school located in the western part of Illinois around the Quad Cities area.  Happ committed to the Badgers while on an unofficial visit to the Madison campus.  He chose Wisconsin over offers from Wisconsin-Green Bay and Wisconsin-Milwaukee and interest from Iowa.

The fact that Ryan was the first coach from a high major program to recognize Happ's abilities proved to be the difference with respect to Happ reaching an early decision.  Happ played extremely well at UW's Elite Camp which was held two weeks ago.  As a result, he was offered a scholarship by Ryan immediately upon the camp's conclusion.  At that point, it was pretty much a done deal.

We liked what we saw of Happ when we watched him over Memorial Day weekend at the Chicago Best Buy Classic with his Quad City Elite 16-Under squad.  He has a solid all-around skill set offensively which includes the ability to put the ball on the floor, pull up and knock down jumpers from 3-point range and get to the basket in one-on-one situations.

In addition, Happ also has a good degree of athleticism, runs the floor well and finishes with consistency.  Although he still needs to add strength, this is something that he figures to improve upon in time.  We see him as yet another player who is perfect for Ryan's system at Wisconsin.

Getting back to the Quad City Elite traveling team, they feature yet another 2014 prospect who we believe has D1 ability in jet-quick 5'7 point guard C.J. Carr from Rock Island High School in Rock Island, IL.  Carr plays with tremendous composure and confidence, has outstanding scoring ability and has proven to be one of the most unheralded players in Illinois from the 2014 class.

The Quad City Elite team will kick off the July evaluation period in Mequon, WI at the NY2LA Sports Next Level Invitational. 

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