Big Ten Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Jul 12, 2023

Mar 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) posts up against Michigan State Spartans guard/forward Branden Dawson (22) and guard Denzel Valentine (45) during the first half in the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

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Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky Big Ten Basketball Ncaa23 33ofx Spt Wood /

2. Frank Kaminsky

A 7’0 center from Lisle, Illinois, Kaminsky wasn’t a blue-chip prospect. He worked hard during his four seasons at Wisconsin, arriving in 2011 and becoming a legend in Bo Ryan’s program by the end of his career. He won’t focus on his time before 2013, though he was coming off the bench in each of those seasons, settling into a more prominent role as an upperclassman.

Kaminsky averaged 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as a junior, including a 43-point outburst against North Dakota early in the year. More importantly, he helped lead the Badgers to the Final Four, scoring 28 points in their Elite Eight win over Arizona. His senior season was even more legendary, putting up 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds and leading the Badgers to the national title game. Wisconsin finished the year 36-4, won the Big Ten Tournament, and upended unbeaten Kentucky in the Final Four, getting 20 points from Kaminsky in that shocking win.

Kaminsky led the Big Ten in field goal percentage in those two seasons and was one of the top rebounders as well. More importantly, he was named AP Player of the Year as a senior, collecting all the major awards and earning a spot on the All-NCAA Tournament team as well. Kaminsky was a major force on an incredible Badgers team, shouldering and leading the Badgers to two straight Final Fours and securing his place in history.

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