Years after Tyler Herro chose Kentucky over Wisconsin, the decision still sparks debate among some Badgers fans. While Herro was only 17 years old at the time, his late decommitment remains a sensitive subject for portions of Wisconsin’s fan base.
The issue recently resurfaced when fans discussed why there is still lingering frustration over Herro’s recruitment. Many wondered why a decision made by a teenager years ago continues to generate strong reactions.
For some Wisconsin supporters, the problem was never simply that Herro chose Kentucky. Players change their minds all the time, and recruiting battles are won and lost every year. Instead, the timing of his decision is what many fans remember most.
Herro committed to Wisconsin and remained pledged to the Badgers for nearly a full year. During that time, Wisconsin had only two scholarships available in the recruiting class, making each spot extremely valuable.
While Herro occupied one of those scholarships, Wisconsin pursued highly regarded forward Joey Hauser for the other opening. Hauser eventually chose another school, leaving the Badgers with no commitments from two of their biggest targets.
According to one fan, the timing of Herro’s decommitment had ripple effects that impacted the entire class. By the time he reopened his recruitment and committed to Kentucky, Wisconsin had missed opportunities to pursue other prospects.
One name that often comes up in those discussions is Tyrese Haliburton. Many Wisconsin fans believe the future NBA star might have ended up in Madison had the Badgers possessed another scholarship to offer him during the recruiting process.
Instead, Haliburton ultimately committed to Iowa State, where he developed into one of college basketball’s best players before becoming an NBA standout. Whether Wisconsin would have landed him remains speculation, but some fans view the missed opportunity as significant.
In the end, Wisconsin lost out on three of the top players in the state that year. Although the program eventually regrouped, many supporters felt the recruiting cycle could have unfolded much differently had Herro made his decision earlier.
Fortunately for Wisconsin, the coaching staff managed to recover. The Badgers added guards D’Mitrik Trice and Trevor Anderson, along with other contributors, helping stabilize the roster despite the recruiting disappointments.
One fan summarized the frustration by saying that Herro’s departure did more than simply remove a player from the class. In their view, the late timing actively hurt Wisconsin’s recruiting plans and forced the staff into a difficult situation.
Others believe the reaction has become excessive. They point out that Herro was just a teenager making one of the biggest decisions of his life and had every right to choose the school he felt was best for his future.
Supporters of Herro also note that recruiting is unpredictable by nature. Coaches routinely move on from players, scholarships change, and prospects alter their plans. They argue that players should have the same freedom to change their minds without carrying criticism for years afterward.
Adding to the debate, some fans admit their feelings toward Herro extend beyond basketball. One response suggested that some people simply do not find him particularly likable, which may contribute to why the subject still generates emotional reactions.
Regardless of where people stand, Herro’s decision ultimately worked out well for him. He enjoyed a successful season at Kentucky, became a first-round NBA Draft pick, and has established himself as one of the league’s talented young scorers. But for some Wisconsin fans, the memories of that recruiting cycle remain difficult to forget, proving that in college basketball, recruiting decisions can leave lasting impressions long after the players themselves have moved on.
