Wisconsin is cold in the winter, but lately, it's a hotbed for basketball talent.
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Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro calls Wisconsin home — The 13th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft played at Whitnall High School just outside Milwaukee. Former Duke forward Jalen Johnson, who was the 13th rated player of the 2020 class, is headed to the 2021 NBA Draft.
2021 five star forward Michael Foster is the latest elite prospect from the Badger State.
Michael Foster Highlights
Foster—a 6-foot-9 power forward and Milwaukee native—is a beast. He plays hard and efficiently, using his burly frame to bully past defenders for dunks and layups. His motor is always running, but that doesn't affect his composure. He's patient, can process the game quickly, and doesn't rush into an impulsive play. This leads to assuming the best position on the floor and making intelligent reads.
Foster is a reliable catch-and-shoot threat from beyond the arc. Smooth and with a high-release point, the forward's jumper is hard to block. Off the dribble, he has a fluid shimmy into a jump shot that keeps defenders honest. From the skinny post, he has a fadeaway jumper that creates space for a clean look.
On defense, Foster is a rim protector. He uses length and athleticism, along with good timing, to disrupt shots. He rebounds well. In the open court, he flies. He can finish in transition but needs to tidy up his ball handling.
Michael Foster Recruiting
RELATED: America's No. 1 HS Basketball Recruit Commits to College Powerhouse
Mike Foster played his first two years of high school at Washington High School of Information Technology in Milwaukee. He transferred to Phoenix-based Hillcrest Prep to finish is prep career for more exposure against top competition. Former NBA point guard Mike Bibby is Hillcrest's head coach.
The power forward is the 14th-ranked player in the 2021 basketball recruiting class according to 247Sports and the 12th-ranked player according to Rivals.com. He had scholarship offers from Georgia, Baylor, Florida State, Marquette, Kansas, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M.
UPDATE (June 2, 2020): Foster told Sports Illustrated that after considering reclassifying to the Class of 2020, he'll remain at Hillcrest Prep and graduate with his 2021 class.
"I'm definitely gonna be at Hillcrest next season," Foster said. "I've got other goals that I want to accomplish with GEICO Nationals and individual goals so I'm not going to be moving up to 2020."
After debating a reclassification to 2020 for the past couple of weeks, forward Michael Foster has decided to remain in the 2021 class https://t.co/ItjG1fzxNT
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 28, 2020
Michael Foster Signs With G-League Ignite
It’s Official @nbagleague pic.twitter.com/amANZiT4uM
— Mike Foster (@MikeFoster_) April 23, 2021
UPDATE (April 26, 2021): Michael Foster's recruiting process is over. The 2021 McDonald's All-American announced he is signing with the NBA G-League Ignite over Tom Crean's Georgia Bulldogs and Leonard Hamilton's Florida State Seminoles.
Foster is the latest top prospect to join the Ignite straight from high school following 2020 standouts Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga. He's a projected first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft according to NBA Draft Room.
We won't be seeing the hoops player in the NCAA Tournament, but we will be seeing him on the professional stage the next time he takes the floor.
This article was originally published March 24, 2020. It's been updated to track Foster's recruiting and high school career.
