Wisconsin forward Gus Yalden back with team after police citations, leave of absence

Wisconsin forward Gus Yalden is back with the team and practiced on Wednesday, Badgers coach Greg Gard said. Yalden took a leave of absence from the Badgers and received two citations from university police.

Since arriving on campus, Yalden received two citations from police — one on Sept. 2 for underage drinking at Wisconsin football’s season opener and again on Oct. 29 for possession of marijuana in his residence hall. Days after the second citation, he took a leave of absence from the program.

Now, Yalden is back with the Badgers, Gard told reporters.

“Today is his first day back,” Gard said Wednesday, via the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Jeff Potrykus. “Getting him back to practice was step one of what he is going through.”

An Appleton, Wisconsin native, Yalden was a four-star prospect coming out of La Lumiere (IN) High School. He ranked as the No. 115 overall prospect and No. 19 power forward in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

More on Gus Yalden’s situation

Yalden pleaded no contest to the underage drinking charge from September. He wrote that he would “be better moving forward” in a message to the Dane County Circuit Court. He also revealed that he chose to attend an optional class on alcohol education.

The charge was later amended to unlawful possession of alcohol on campus.

“I was wrong with the decision that I made,” Yalden wrote. “I cannot go back and change it but only change how I act moving forward and have done that. I have re-focused my attention in my life on the right things by taking an optional alcohol education module recommended by my coaches.

“I also have gotten back in touch with my faith. One mistake does not define me as a person, and I pledge to be better moving forward.”

Gard announced Yalden’s leave of absence on Nov. 1 and pledged his support to his young forward.

“We are in full support of Gus and will always be here for him and his family,” Gard said in his official statement. “Gus is part of the Wisconsin basketball family and even though he won’t be on the court with us right now, we’ll always do everything we can to help him. We look forward to his return.”

Wisconsin is coming off a resounding victory over Arkansas State to open the season, but will face a tough task on Friday against No. 9 Tennessee.

On3’s Chandler Vessels also contributed to this report.