Why Owen Foxwell could change the way Wisconsin basketball plays

The Wisconsin Badgers held their second and final open practice for the media recently and, much like the first one, Owen Foxwell stole the spotlight. The 6-foot-2 Australian native has stepped in and immediately made himself known to Badger fans, asserting himself as the clear alpha of the team.

Foxwell leading the team this year may look different compared to how guys like Nick Boyd, John Tonje and John Blackwell led, as he leans more toward being pass-first. Nonetheless, Foxwell knows who he is and what he was brought in to be, something he has made very clear.

Owen Foxwell is exactly what Wisconsin has been looking for

"I bring that experience level to the group," Foxwell said. "Playing professionally for the past three years, going from not playing a single minute in games to being the starting point guard on a team that went nearly all the way to the Grand Final series. I've learned a lot."

The reasons why it's beneficial to have professional experience under your belt are obvious in today's college basketball landscape. Especially in Foxwell's case, as not only did he play professionally, but he competed at one of the highest levels of basketball in the world and thrived while doing so.

However, he also made it apparent that he is far from done, and what he has shown in the past doesn't paint the full picture of who he can become.

"I don't see myself as a finished product. I'm still progressing. I'm nearly 23 years old and I've got so much to achieve," Foxwell said. "Not just achievements, but getting to who I want to be as a basketball player, and this opportunity has given me a great platform to do that."

Foxwell is polished and refined, but not a finished product—which is an important distinction to make. So many times in college basketball, when fans see players over 22 years old, they view them as what they are rather than who they could become. In Foxwell's case, he still has plenty of room to grow as he further acclimates to the college game; he just has the added luxury of already being a very good player.

It isn't just his offensive prowess that has stood out either, as Foxwell's defensive presence has been equally noteworthy. Obviously, with him being a smaller, less athletic guard, his overall defensive ceiling will be somewhat limited. But giving consistent effort is half the battle, and that is one thing Wisconsin fans will never have to worry about.

"It started when I was a young kid. I was never the most talented, never the most skillful, so the way I got on the floor was through defense," Foxwell said. "That was the same at the professional level. I wasn't a junior player in Australia at the national level. I was somebody that had to grind to get my spot, and being a defensive-minded player was the way I did it."

When considering every aspect of what he brings to the table, it's hard not to be excited about what the lefty guard will bring to Madison. His playstyle may not be the flashiest, and he may not have the same All-American scoring upside as players in years past, but one thing is certain: Owen Foxwell is ready to make his mark at Wisconsin.

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