The Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball program picked up a massive commitment last night that shifts the 2026 class for the program.
Adaline Sheplee, a unanimous 2026 class four-star recruit, is currently the 51st overall recruit in the class and the second-ranked recruit in the state of Wisconsin. Shooting guard Natalie Kussouw, a top-25 recruit and the fifth overall guard in the class, is currently the only player ahead of Sheplee in the in-state rankings.
Sheplee is by far one of the top recruits on the board for the Wisconsin Badgers and being an in-state star is the cherry on top for the program. Recruiting the backyard is something every program strives to do with great success, but Wisconsin has never quite been the top dog in terms of recruiting the area. Landing Sheplee not only shows clear changes in the program, but also displays that coach Robin Pingeton is not playing any games moving forward after personally going out and landing a top target.
Wisconsin Badgers Coach Robin Pingeton Secures Commitment From Top Recruit Adaline Sheplee
Sheplee developed a reputation as a top recruit within the state of Wisconsin early, drawing collegiate interests as an eighth-grader and truly beginning to blossom on the court last year. Sheplee has become a household name within the 2026 women’s basketball recruiting class, and now that talent will remain home as the forward has confirmed a commitment to Wisconsin.
When coming to a decision, new coach Robin Pingeton was the catalyst that helped propel the Wisconsin Badgers forward. Sheplee is a top talent within the 2026 class and has held an offer from the staff since 2023, before Pingeton took over the head coach role for the program. Despite the change, Wisconsin re-offered Sheplee after the hiring of Pingeton and quickly went to work on developing a relationship with the recruit.
While the recruit is an excellent basketball player, Sheplee is also an accomplished volleyball player and her successful skillset as a volleyball player can be seen on the basketball court. Sheplee is extremely light on her feet and also seemingly always knows where the basketball will travel following a shot. Being in the right place at the right time is something the forward excels at, and something that will likely allow her to make an impact with the Badgers early.
The Wisconsin Badgers have not necessarily had the talent of Sheplee within the program in the past as the forward is a versatile and rare player. The combination of knowledge, raw skill, and savvy plays makes Sheplee look like a taller Syla Swords on the court, who has been a standout guard for the Michigan Wolverines. The two share many similarities and likely will do battle against each other on the collegiate courts in the near future.
In addition to sharing many similarities with Swords, Sheplee is an accomplished multi-level scorer with slick moves to the basket and eyes that are consistently focused on open scoring lanes. At 6-foot-3-inches, Sheplee has a great frame that Wisconsin can use in a variety of ways, whether that be attacking defenses from the top of the key or making plays occur with her back to the basket down low. Given her frame, Sheplee will likely slip into more of a wing role for the Wisconsin Badgers upon arrival in Madison.
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