Wisconsin basketball will host a rare retirement jersey celebration at the Kohl Center on February 15, 2018 to honor a former Badger legend
Wisconsin basketball will celebrate the NBA All Star Break and Valentines Day by showing some love to former Badger great Frank Kaminsky. The big guy will become just the second player in Wisconsin basketball history to get his jersey retired.
The Badgers will hold the ceremony on February 15, 2018, at the Kohl Center during a game against a tough Purdue Boilermaker side. Unfortunately, Wisconsin won’t be able to use Kaminsky to match up with Purdue’s Isaac Haas.
The UW Athletic Department News Release notes this particular honor is a rare one for Wisconsin basketball players. Kaminsky will be just the second player in program history to have his number retired.
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Somewhat confusingly to me Wisconsin is retiring just Frank Kaminsky #44 specifically. Apparently the 44 jersey number itself “will remain in circulation at Wisconsin.”
Given the scarcity of jersey retirements in Badger basketball history, you have to be something special to get the ceremony. And it’s obvious beyond merely recency bias that Kaminsky is a worthy recipient.
"The first player in Wisconsin history to win the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, Oscar Robertson Trophy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, Kaminsky was also named 2015 National Player of the Year by the Associated Press, Sporting News and USA Today. A consensus first-team All-American, Kaminsky became just the third Big Ten Player of the Year in program history."
He was the catalyst for two of the most memorable seasons in Wisconsin basketball history. He led the 2013-2014 Badgers to a 30-8 record and the first Final Four appearance since 2000. Kaminsky returned for his senior season and Wisconsin finished 36-4 losing to the officials in the national title game.
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Kaminsky was such a unique weapon for Wisconsin. He did fine on defense and rebounding, but it was his offense that were most impressive.
For starters, even at his size, Kaminsky could handle the ball to the point of dribbling up court. He also was an exceptional passer. Hopefully Ethan Happ is studying lots of Kaminsky film on how to pass out of double teams.
He also of course could score from anywhere on the floor. Being able to shoot meant opposing defenses had to draw a big away from the basket and defend out to 25 feet. Kaminsky showed tremendous poise and touch in the post scoring on a variety of post moves.
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Post Wisconsin, Kaminsky was picked 9th by the Charlotte Hornets. Now in his third season, he’s played in 182 games but started just 19. For his career, he’s averaging 9.6 points, 42.2 rebounds, 1.6 assist, per game while shooting 40.4 percent.
So congrats to Kaminksy on the honor form his alma mater. It may be awhile until we see another Badger with a resume worthy of a retirement ceremony.