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NBA Draft: Wisconsin Basketball Outlook

By Noah Seligman

Mar 23, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (24) handles the ball during practice the day before the East Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (24) handles the ball during practice the day before the East Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 NBA Draft is Thursday evening from Brooklyn with 60 total picks over the two rounds

It is doubtful any Wisconsin Basketball alums will be selected in either round of the NBA Draft.

In fact, the Badgers have had just two players picked in the NBA Draft in the last four years.  In 2015, Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker went nine picks apart in the 1st round of the NBA Draft.

Going back to 1947, Wisconsin Basketball had had 42 players picked in the NBA Draft.  If you knew that Glen Selbo the #2 overall NBA Draft Pick in 1947 is the highest ever drafted Badger congrats on that accomplishment from your relative.  That’s pretty cool.

Related Story: Top NBA Draft Fits for Nigel Hayes

Keep in mind, the NBA Draft process has shortened over time.  The NBA Draft had as many as 21 rounds in some years but has been a more manageable two rounds since 1989.

Both Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig have the only realistic chances of being picked in the 2017 NBA Draft.  Zak Showalter did work out for the Milwaukee Bucks but that’s likely with an eye towards summer league and not one of the Bucks’ NBA Draft picks.

Like any good recent college graduate, Koenig waited until nearly the deadline to submit his final arguments.  He posted a long piece worth your time on the Players Tribune today.

Related Story: Top NBA Draft Fits for Bronson Koenig

In the piece, Koenig makes his case for being picked in the NBA Draft arguing that his combination of shooting, experience, intelligence, and work ethic make him a safe pick.  He relays a formative conversation with the actor Michael B. Jordan that drove home the discipline and dedication required for success.

"One phrase he used really stuck with me. It kind of just stopped me in my tracks right there in the gym. I’m serious.“Learn the art of being antisocial.”Something changed in me after that. I’ve always valued hard work, but I’ve taken my self-discipline to another level since last summer. Ever since then, I’ve been living in Hollywood — a city with unlimited distractions for a person my age — but I’ve been living like a monk."

Koenig does not make the grind sound fun, but his eyes are clearly on something bigger and that’s enough fuel to keep him going.  He isn’t going to wow anyone with his vertical leap or wingspan, so Koenig has no choice but to distinguish himself among NBA Draft prospects by his motor.

"Let me tell you: it’s tedious as hell. It’s monotonous. It’s boring. It’s lonely. You wake up early. You work alone. You eat alone. You stick to a super strict schedule and a strict diet. You definitely don’t do anything for “fun.” And you’re dead tired by the end of the day. Then you do it all again the next morning."

In the article, Koenig also relays encouragement he received from Kaminsky and Dekker.  Both former Badgers are convinced that Koenig can play at the NBA level.   He also reports he received an encouraging text this past season from Isaiah Thomas, the last pick of the 2011 NBA Draft.

If you don’t have Thursday plans, the NBA Draft will be broadcast on ESPN starting at 6 p.m. CST.