Frank Kaminsky's return for his senior season at Wisconsin boosted their confidence, but it has also landed the versatile center atop ESPN's list of the game's best players.
At seven feet and a lean 234 pounds, Kaminsky scored a 9.09 on ESPN's scale, outscoring UNC's Marcus Paige, who finished with an 8.97. As a junior, Kamisnky averaged 13.9 points per game, 6.3 rebounds and an exceptional field goal/free throw/three point percentage line of .528/.765/.378.
He also got a major feature in ESPN The Magazine, which can bee seen online here, where he talked about his blog, moosebball.blogspot.com.
"For years before that, I could say pretty much whatever I wanted and no one really cared," Kaminsky told the Mag.
The unique center has improved greatly in each of his three years at Wisconsin, but his scoring is what will give opposing defenses fits.
"Frank has developed as much as anyone we've ever had," Wisconsin head basketball coach Bo Ryan told the Mag. "Try guarding him now: He has counters to whatever the defense does."
The Associated Press also selected Kaminsky to their pre-season all-America team, giving him the third-most votes behind Paige and Louisville's Montrezl Harrell. The AP also ranked Kaminsky's Badgers third overall in the preseason poll behind Kentucky and Arizona.
The lanky, sharp-shooting center's decision to stay may also be related to his love of the Wisconsin campus.
"I'm just going to miss having everyone in such a confined space," he said. "My roommates, my friends, all the relationships I've built here.
"I know it'll be difficult. When I leave here, it's not going to be the same."
