Badger basketball legend Frank Kaminsky will address graduates at winter commencement

For Wisconsin Badger basketball fans, Frank “The Tank” Kaminsky needs no introduction.

The 7-foot center epitomized March Madness. In 2014, he brought the Badgers to the NCAA Final Four in a now legendary overtime win against Arizona. Then, the following year, he led the team to a national championship game that was so close that fans could almost taste the victory.

In that 2015 season alone, Kaminsky was named the Naismith College Player of the Year and Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year. He won the Oscar Robertson Trophy awarded by sportswriters, and not surprisingly, he was also the recipient of the John R. Wooden Men’s Player of the Year award.

Now, a decade later, Kaminsky is returning to the Kohl Center in a new role: keynote speaker for the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Winter 2026 Commencement. He will deliver the charge to graduates at the ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 13.

Kaminsky returns to his alma mater still holding the Badger men’s basketball single-game scoring record with 43 points. It’s no surprise that his No. 44 is one of only three retired jerseys in the program’s history.

After graduating, Kaminsky was picked ninth overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2015 NBA Draft. He played with Charlotte for four seasons before signing with the Phoenix Suns as a free agent in July 2019. With the Suns, he reached the NBA Finals in 2021.

“What a thrill to have Frank Kaminsky back on campus. He brought joy to so many Badger fans during his time here,” says Eric Wilcots, UW–Madison’s interim chancellor. “Frank left UW and went on to achieve his highest dreams and potential. His is an inspiring story and I know his commencement message will be powerful for this year’s graduates.”

Commencement speakers are chosen by the senior class officers in consultation with the Chancellor’s Office.

“Frank Kaminsky’s story reminds us that success is not a straight path. He brings a message of hope that resonates deeply with graduates; where you start does not define where you can go,” says Genesis Liriano, senior class office winter grad chair. “His journey as a Badger on and off the court makes him an inspiring voice to welcome graduates into their future with confidence and purpose.”

Last year, Kaminsky, now 33, played in the Japanese professional basketball league for Alvark Tokyo. He is not sure if he will return. In fact, he is not sure if he will continue playing professional basketball at all.

But he is sure of a few things. He still loves basketball and will be a TV analyst for the Phoenix Suns this season. He wants to focus on his Christian faith. And he plans to spend more time with his wife, sports journalist Ashley Brewer, and play with their new son as much as possible.

In a recent interview, Frank “The Tank” Kaminsky waxed nostalgic about his college years and offered a glimpse at the wisdom he will offer during his commencement address.

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You’re coming back to Madison. How does it feel?

It’s extremely exciting. I love Madison. Basketball has taken me to all these different parts of the world, and these past 11 or 12 years have been nonstop on the go. And now that things start to slow down, I get to really sit back and think about it and enjoy all the things I’ve accomplished. And be able to tell my story. And obviously Madison is such a huge part of that story. The UW has a super special place in my heart.

And you are a part of UW’s story. Take us back to March 29, 2014, when you led the Badgers to an overtime victory against No. 1 seed Arizona and advanced to the Final Four.

That game meant a lot to so many. In 2014, I don’t think many expected much out of us. And I remember thinking the same thing going into the season — there weren’t many expectations for me either. I think we really took people and ourselves by surprise. And that season just turned into something magical.

Let’s go back to the night of November 19, 2013, when you broke the Badger scoring record with 43 points against North Dakota. Coach Bo Ryan pulled you out with about five minutes left in the game. You had 41 points. The record was 42 points. The student section started chanting, “We want Frank! We want Frank!” Coach Ryan put you back in for one more possession. Tell me about that moment.

You know what’s funny? I had no clue that the record was 43 points during the game. When I got taken out, I assumed I was done for the night since we were up by so much. So, there I was sitting on the bench. I didn’t understand why the students were yelling. And then the coach said, “You got one more possession.” And I just remember thinking to myself, “That’s weird. Why is he putting me back in the game?” But I got the possession, and I scored, and I came right out afterwards. And then I saw on the video board that I had the new record for points in a game by a Badger. I had no idea. Definitely one of my coolest college moments. That’s what makes the college student experience.

Speaking of cool things, we need to talk about your moniker, “The Tank.” You were on the cover of Sports Illustrated in March 2015, clad in your red Wisconsin Badger uniform and standing in front of a 1978 M60A3 Main Battle Tank. How did that come about?


I remember being asked if I had any ideas for the photo shoot. We started thinking, and someone mentioned taking a photo on a tank. So, they went and researched and found a tank about 30 or 40 minutes off campus.

It was a snowy day, about 5 degrees. We had a car running next to the tank so I could run in and keep warm between takes when they were setting up. I remember the Sports Illustrated photographers being like, “This is going to be one of the cooler photos we do.” I have the cover blown up here in my house. Such an iconic photo. I was only 20, so you don’t realize at the time how fond those memories will be. Something I can tell my kids about.

In 2015, you were inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. During that time, you reflected that “success means standing in a moment that didn’t always feel guaranteed.” Feels like a good quote for a commencement speech.

Yeah, I’ve started writing my commencement speech today and that idea is going to be a big part of it.

It’s so true, though, nothing is guaranteed to you when you start out on your journey. Each step’s satisfaction comes from being willing to do whatever it takes with absolutely zero guarantee that it would work out. And if it means something to you, you’ll care and make the sacrifices and put in the work before the reward. That’s what makes life special.