SOUTH WAYNE - Black Hawk senior Jen Wellnitz will continue her basketball career in college in the Badger state, after she announced a verbal commitment to attend the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay following her senior season.
Wellnitz, a Division 5 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 5 All-State selection, averaged 20.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, five assists and six steals a game last year.
"It was always one of my dreams," Wellnitz said of playing basketball in college. "When I was a little kid everyone always asked what do you want to do in college and they would say what they wanted to major in. I just wanted to play basketball."
Black Hawk girls basketball coach Mike Flanagan said Wellnitz is the first girl to get a Division I scholarship from the school.
"It's a great accomplishment," Flanagan said. "It doesn't happen too often."
In addition to her basketball exploits, Wellnitz was a first-team Six Rivers East All-Conference player in volleyball and softball, as well as the Division 3 state champion in the 100-meter dash in track.
Marquette didn't make Wellnitz an offer, but she said coaches wanted to see her play in an AAU tournament first. Wellnitz said she considered waiting to see if Marquette would offer her a scholarship, but she felt confident that UW-Green Bay is the best fit.
Wellnitz made a visit to UW-Green Bay last fall and even attended the Green Bay Elite basketball camp in June. Wellnitz said after the camp, she realized that was where she wanted to play college basketball.
"I thought if I didn't have this school on my list tomorrow would I be upset, and I would be upset so why wait," she said. "They have a good program. They are ranked No. 20. I don't see coach (Kevin) Borseth going anywhere."
The Phoenix finished 29-3 last year and lost to sixth-ranked LSU 75-71 in the NCAA tournament. UW-Green Bay had a 24-game winning streak during the season.
Wellnitz eclipsed the 1,000 point milestone last year in leading the Warriors to a 40-37 regional championship win over Six Rivers East Conference rival Monticello. She is playing on the U17 Wisconsin Academy AAU team along with Brodhead's Carly Mohns.
Wellnitz will play AAU basketball tournaments in Cincinnati, Ohio, Lexington, Ky. and Chicago July 5-11. Her team will then leave July 22 to play in the NIKE Elite tournament in Washington D.C.
"I think if I didn't play AAU, none of this would have been possible," Wellnitz said. "You play at such a different level than high school and everyone is at that level."
Wellnitz, a Division 5 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 5 All-State selection, averaged 20.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, five assists and six steals a game last year.
"It was always one of my dreams," Wellnitz said of playing basketball in college. "When I was a little kid everyone always asked what do you want to do in college and they would say what they wanted to major in. I just wanted to play basketball."
Black Hawk girls basketball coach Mike Flanagan said Wellnitz is the first girl to get a Division I scholarship from the school.
"It's a great accomplishment," Flanagan said. "It doesn't happen too often."
In addition to her basketball exploits, Wellnitz was a first-team Six Rivers East All-Conference player in volleyball and softball, as well as the Division 3 state champion in the 100-meter dash in track.
Marquette didn't make Wellnitz an offer, but she said coaches wanted to see her play in an AAU tournament first. Wellnitz said she considered waiting to see if Marquette would offer her a scholarship, but she felt confident that UW-Green Bay is the best fit.
Wellnitz made a visit to UW-Green Bay last fall and even attended the Green Bay Elite basketball camp in June. Wellnitz said after the camp, she realized that was where she wanted to play college basketball.
"I thought if I didn't have this school on my list tomorrow would I be upset, and I would be upset so why wait," she said. "They have a good program. They are ranked No. 20. I don't see coach (Kevin) Borseth going anywhere."
The Phoenix finished 29-3 last year and lost to sixth-ranked LSU 75-71 in the NCAA tournament. UW-Green Bay had a 24-game winning streak during the season.
Wellnitz eclipsed the 1,000 point milestone last year in leading the Warriors to a 40-37 regional championship win over Six Rivers East Conference rival Monticello. She is playing on the U17 Wisconsin Academy AAU team along with Brodhead's Carly Mohns.
Wellnitz will play AAU basketball tournaments in Cincinnati, Ohio, Lexington, Ky. and Chicago July 5-11. Her team will then leave July 22 to play in the NIKE Elite tournament in Washington D.C.
"I think if I didn't play AAU, none of this would have been possible," Wellnitz said. "You play at such a different level than high school and everyone is at that level."
