Wisconsin Basketball: All-time starting five
Center (Forward 3): Frank Kaminsky
Honorable Mention: Jared Berggren, Brian Butch, Greg Stiemsma, Paul Grant, Ethan Happ
- 2011-2015
- Career: 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.1 blocks
- Accolades
- National college player of the year
- First Team All-American
- Big Ten player of the year
- 2x First Team All-Big Ten
- Big Ten Tournament MVP
- John R. Wooden Award
- Kareem Abdul-Jabar Award
- Single game scoring record at Wisconsin
As listed, Frank Kaminsky’s accomplishments piled up at Wisconsin, thankfully due to his decision to return to the program for one final season in his senior year. A kid that barely saw any action or minutes his freshman and sophomore year, Kaminsky became another one of Ryan’s projects to turn into something special…and then some.
Overall, his career stats at Wisconsin do not tell the whole story. In fact, his numbers are of no indication of how crucial he was to the team’s back to back Final Fours. Despite getting a combined average of nine minutes his freshman and sophomore year, Kaminsky catapulted himself into the top ten Badgers all-time scoring list and landed himself a lottery pick with the Charlotte Hornets.
Frank the Tank will always be an iconic Badgers player, not only for his contribution on the court, but his mannerisms and down-to-earth attitude off the court. Everyone who paid attention to college basketball knew how good Kaminsky was, and so did he- but his humble approach to the game allowed him to continue to grow and improve and get where he is now.
Kaminsky recently scored his NBA career high with a 27 point outing for the Hornets.