There's a part of Austin Rapp that was starstruck when he got the call from Australian national team coach and Washington Wizards assistant Adam Caporn last month.
But panic was also a palpable emotion when Rapp, the University of Wisconsin men's basketball forward transfer, earned an invite to play in a few exhibitions with the Australian national team. Not because he hadn't felt like he'd worked hard enough for the opportunity.
"I had to actually rolled my ankle that day in open run," Rapp said, "pretty badly."
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In reality, an ankle injury wasn't ever at risk of stopping the Melbourne, Australia, native who transferred to the Badgers in April, from playing.
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Yet the first night brought a lot of swelling. By the third night, he wondered if it was broken (it wasn't). He was icing it, doing as much as he could. It started to feel a lot better — and plenty well enough for Rapp to fly into Adelaide, the Australian city where the national team camp was held, "jet-lagged as all hell" for the first day of practice. But Rapp wasn't missing it.
"It was pretty easy for me to get up and kind of play for your country at the same time," Rapp said.
Suiting up for a three-game exhibition series against New Zealand is perhaps not the top of the list of importance in the grand scheme of the 6-foot-10 sweet-shooting forward's offseason. Though the experience was yet another developmental milestone for the only player Wisconsin brought in via the transfer portal with multiple years of eligibility remaining, one who is making the jump to Big Ten competition after a standout freshman season at Portland, averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.
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The West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year already has added around six pounds since he committed. And similar to star guard John Blackwell, who tested the NBA Draft waters before recently announcing his return to Wisconsin for his junior season, Rapp got some time around professionals to test his growth.
"The big takeaway for me is the physicality ... the WCC anyway, it was physical, but (this) was just another step," Rapp said. "... I kind of realized that this is the next step I need to take. Not just for FIBA, but for Wisconsin. I'm about to go in the Big Ten. I'm about to play against these bigger bodies. So for me, I've just got to get used to going against stronger and bigger guys every night."
The timing of Blackwell's announcement actually adds some significance to Rapp's offseason training. Blackwell's part of the equation was discussed when Rapp visited the Badgers. And Rapp's three-day-a-week weight training in Melbourne isn't just about gaining strength for his developing low-post game but also about maintaining explosion to remain a malleable piece for a Badgers team that has a lot of options with Blackwell's return.
Rapp connected on 83 3-pointers during his freshman season at Portland. He likely will line up alongside 7-footer Nolan Winter, who connected on 35.8% of his 3s last season. That's in addition to two incoming transfers, former San Diego State guard Nick Boyd and former Virginia guard Andrew Rohde, who both shot 40% or better from 3-point range during at least one season of their careers. That bodes well for a Wisconsin team that connected on a program-record 366 3s last season.
And then there's Blackwell.
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"He's a bucket, what can I say?" Rapp said about his new teammate. "He's a guy that can get you a bucket."
Rapp's ability to contribute in his first season as a member of the Big Ten plays a significant role in the fully realized version of the Badgers team Rapp was sold on as part of his recruiting visit. There's no substitute for playing against the conference's bigs at game speed, but experience against professionals potentially is as good — if not better.
Some of the NBA contingent on the national team wasn't back playing yet (though Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels watched a few practices, Rapp said). Yet former Washington Wizards guard Xavier Cooks, former Miami guard Dejan Vasiljevic and University of Connecticut 2025 signee Jacob Furphy were among the talented group Rapp competed against.
Rapp was ready for long days. Australian basketball is known to be gritty and tough, Rapp said, playing physically, running the floor and getting up aggressively on ball screens. Rapp was jet lagged and "gassed," but the intensity and communication felt a level up from college, and Rapp absorbed everything he could of the experience.
The team "got after it" because there were only a few practices before the first game.
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And then the team got to play for real, pitting Rapp against another future member of Wisconsin in 2026 guard commit Jackson Ball, who played with the New Zealand national team Rapp and Australia scrimmaged.
He said he didn't take notes but has a pretty good memory. He asked the veteran players plenty of questions. He said perhaps the most valuable thing he learned was a professional approach to recovery: Eight hours of sleep, drinking enough water, stretching and rolling out muscles.
"It's not many kids at my age get the opportunity to come represent their country," Rapp said. "And even if it's just a three-game little series, it was still something really special."
Photos: Badgers men's basketball in review
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Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) celebrates with fans after defeating the Arizona Wildcats on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
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Michigan center Vlad Goldin (50) dunks on Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (7) on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK/STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) celebrates after hitting a three-pointer on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) is swarmed by UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros defenders on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) shoots a three-pointer over UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros guard Hasan Abdul Hakim (14) on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) dunks the ball on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Nebraska forward Berke Buyuktuncel (9) goes for a layup under the basket on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard claps during player introductions on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) and Washington Huskies guard Tyler Harris (8) battle for the ball on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi. OWEN ZILIAK/STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (7) and Wisconsin Badgers guard Jack Janicki (33) celebrate after a three-pointer on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (7) hugs Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard during Senior Day ceremonies on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi. OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) checks in for the last regular season home game of his career as a Badger on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi. OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Sweat drips from the face of Ohio State forward Sean Stewart (13) on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) buries his face in a towel after checking out during the final seconds of the Badger’s loss to Penn State on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi. OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin defenders attempt to block Holy Cross Crusaders forward Gabe Warren (21) on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard yells at the official on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK/STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) comforts Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) after Klesmit missed a late three-pointer to tie the game on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK/STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) and Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) run in to each other during a possession on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Montana St. on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Montana St. on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Arizona on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
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Former Wisconsin basketball head coach Bo Ryan watches as his banner is raised on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers guard Jack Janicki (33) celebrates after a three-pointer on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) and Indiana Hoosiers guard Trey Galloway (32) battle for the ball on the floor on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) jumps to dunk on Nebraska guard Connor Essegian (0) on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard laughs with an official on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin guard John Blackwell (25) falls as Ohio State forward Sean Stewart (13) goes for a block on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter (31) tries to put home a layup against Oregon on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi. OWEN ZILIAK/STATE JOURNAL OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL
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