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Wisconsin Basketball: Ethan Happ named Naismith semifinalist

By Trevor Jossart

Feb 19, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Ethan Happ (22) celebrates a basket during the game with the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Maryland 71-60. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Ethan Happ (22) celebrates a basket during the game with the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Maryland 71-60. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Ethan Happ has been named a semifinalist for the Naismith Award.

The accolades and recognition keep on coming in for Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball star forward Ethan Happ as he has been named a semifinalist for one of college basketball’s most prestigious honors- the 2017 Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year Award.

Happ was previously recognized as a final 20 contestant for the John R. Wooden Award and will now have the Naismith on his radar as he joins nine others to make the penultimate list.

2017 Naismith Finalists:

  • Ethan Happ, Wisconsin
  • Lonzo Ball, UCLA
  • Josh Hart, Villanova
  • Justin Jackson, North Carolina
  • Josh Jackson, Kansas
  • Luke Kennard, Duke
  • Frank Mason III, Kansas
  • Johnathan Motley, Baylor
  • Caleb Swanigan, Purdue
  • Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga

Happ joins Swanigan from Purdue as the only two representatives from the Big Ten. Although tied in assists now with Nigel Hayes, Happ still leads the Badgers in all five statistical categories, despite struggling against the double team as of late.

His current averages are: 14.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per contest.

Happ could become the second Badgers player in the last three years to win the award as Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky won it two seasons ago, along with the Wooden Award. He is one of three sophomores on the ballot, joining Swanigan and Duke’s Kennard. Kansas is the only team in the country with more than one player on the list.

The list will be trimmed to a final four on March 19.

Happ has been a huge factor in the Badgers’ success the last two seasons, starting every game he has played in and earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors last year. He is likely to be in discussion for Big Ten Player of the Year this season and almost a guarantee to earn First Team All-Conference privileges.

The Badgers host Iowa on Thursday in their next game at 8:00 pm CT.

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