The Wisconsin Badgers have begun working diligently to develop a relationship with the talented 2028 point guard from Massachusetts.
Rory Funke, a 2028 point guard from Needham, Mass., is Dexter Southfield’s starter at Brookline. Funke is currently guarded by Hardy Watts, a four-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class for Wisconsin Badgers. Watts is the dominant force monitoring Funke’s recruitment.
The talented point guard is also the brother of Dominic Funke, a 2026 Xaverian Brothers three-star. Both brothers are being recruited by the Wisconsin Badgers and may one day be reunited in Madison. However, a lot needs to happen first before this potentially becomes a reality for Wisconsin’s staff.
Funke said the top programs in his initial recruitment were Wake Forest, Boston College, Syracuse and Wisconsin. Funke thanked his brother for teaching him how to “get his name out there” and for showing him the ins and outs of the college admissions process. A third brother also went through this process and his family continues to assist him understand the process.
On the pitch, the point guard believes that the combination of “natural leadership” and the need to win are the qualities that set him apart. Every quarterback can throw the ball, but Funke believes his occasional ability to lead with both his performance and his words allowed the quarterback to stand out early in the game. Funke also added, “I’m also good at reading what the defense is doing and adjusting the offense mid-game.”
Off the field, Funke stated, “I want a program that has a plan for me and accommodates my style of play, while also motivating me to develop overall as a player.” In other words, Funke doesn’t want to be thrown to the wolves and feel like he has to fend for himself. Rather, the quarterback is looking for a program that plans to utilize the quarterback to the best of its ability.
The Wisconsin Badgers staff is looking to impress Rory Funke in the future
Once a basic connection is made, many programs, including the Wisconsin Badgers, try to dig deeper and find what Funke really wants most.
As mentioned earlier, Funke needs a scheme that has real utility for the quarterback, not just depth. Funke wants to feel at home and needed, and many programs have already made it clear to the quarterback that he has plenty of plans for the future. When asked about the talks, Funke said, “The schools I’ve visited are always striving for more.”
In addition to his development, two other factors worth noting include a winning environment and two sports.
Funke noted that working at a school that wins and wants to win football games is something he is really looking for. The quarterback also added that his dream is to play at the next level in both football and baseball, which he would have to crush to join Wisconsin.
While the Wisconsin Badgers don’t have a baseball program, they also don’t have the lifelong memories that local Boston College has. Funke admitted that Boston College is his “dream” program, but he wants to enjoy the process and see which school is best for him before making any decisions.
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