Greg Gard’s team will be dealing with an absence for an indefinite period as Wisconsin opens the 2023-24 season.

Gard announced Wednesday that freshman forward Gus Yalden is taking a temporary leave of absence due to a family matter. Yalden will remain in school and receive UW student-athlete services, but will not participate in team activities for the time being.

“We are in full support of Gus and will always be here for him and his family,” Gard said in a program release. “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.”

Yalden was a big get for Gard and his staff on the recruiting trail. A La Lumiere School standout, Yalden was rated 4-stars, the No. 4 Indiana product, No. 17 center and No. 128 prospect in the Class of 2023 on the 247Sports Composite. Yalden picked up scholarship offers from 25 programs, choosing the Badgers over Nebraska, Rutgers and others.

Wisconsin faces UW-Stevens Point Wednesday at 7 p.m. in an exhibition game and opens regular-season play on Monday against Arkansas State.