Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, April 1, 2015
Frank Kaminsky needs no introduction. The Big Ten Player of the Year and likely national player of the year has a game that makes people take notice.
[ MORE: Visit BTN.com's Frank Kaminsky landing page ]
That wasn't always the case, however. Kaminsky was an unheralded recruit, and like many Wisconsin big men before him, he took a couple of years to figure everything out.
Kaminsky averaged 1.8 points as a freshman and 4.2 as a sophomore. Everything clicked last season, as the 7-footer from Lisle, Illinois, broke out (53%; 13.9 ppg; 6.3 rpg) en route to leading the Badgers to their first Final Four since 2000.
And, he keeps getting better and better, now averaging 18.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.5 blocks, while shooting 55 percent.
The star has a personality to match his incredible game, too.
Here's a look-back at some memorable moments/images/videos that have helped turn Frank Kaminsky into "Frank the Tank," the goofy star who most everyone respects.
PRE-BIG TEN RELEVANCY
The upset AAU player.
The little-used sophomore reserve.
Your likely #B1G Player of the Year two years ago to the day. pic.twitter.com/DyxaeXWnNI
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) February 17, 2015
The painful eye poke.
***
THE BREAKOUT MOMENT
The Wilt recreation.
PHOTO: Frank Kaminsky side-by-side with Wilt Chamberlain after their record scoring nights. Enjoy @BadgerMBB fans. pic.twitter.com/KVy0OdfVzG
— Sean Merriman (@MerrimanTweets) November 20, 2013
The Wisconsin-record 43 points, all of them.
***
THE GOOFY PERSONALITY
The pep rally speaker.
VIDEO: "I heard things are bigger in Texas. Hopefully, we'll get a bigger trophy." @BadgerMBB's Frank Kaminsky http://t.co/4SyZ3oxemO
— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) March 30, 2014
The hungry Frank Kaminsky.
This just in: #B1G stars really like the taste of confetti. #MarchOnBTN pic.twitter.com/AOQHprtWV9
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) March 15, 2015
The "chiseled" star.
.@BadgerMBB & @MSU_Basketball fans should enjoy this link - http://t.co/f8x3VfFZGH #MarchOnBTN pic.twitter.com/164tQ8wbzv
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) March 23, 2015
The scooter-rider.
.@ESPNInsider Plus there was this. I had to grab Frank! #CBBDraft pic.twitter.com/yBi4wI31Vx
— John Gasaway (@JohnGasaway) March 5, 2015
The selfie-taker.
Off to LA #Badgers @moeschpotato5, @BronsonK_24, @DDukan13, @EHapp22, @FSKPart3, @JTSmith222, @JPGasser21 & 10 more pic.twitter.com/NFS97ifa9P
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 24, 2015
The Big Ten regular-season champ GoPro.
Champs. #Badgers #BigTenChamps pic.twitter.com/2JJ6UKNbtz
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 1, 2015
The Big Ten tourney GoPro.
Anxiously awaiting What's Next. #Badgers pic.twitter.com/sllr0eMeg3
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 15, 2015
The Final Four-clinching GoPro.
Two questions, @BadgerMBB: 1. How many hours of footage does Frank have on GoPro? 2. Will final product be shared? pic.twitter.com/ELKEw8D8ti
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) March 29, 2015
The Go-carter.
58. Shoutout to my pit crew. @FSKPart3 #Fieldof68 pic.twitter.com/MxYj38IhPt
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 19, 2015
The humble All-America.
How does Frank Kaminsky of @UWBadgerMBB get laughs? Watch now & see it all on TV @ 10:30p ET on @BTNJourney. http://t.co/cP18qZs1Ns
— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) January 9, 2015
The dancer.
Frank Kaminsky is good at a lot of things. Dancing may not be one of them. pic.twitter.com/FUNcdAyHv5
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2015
The Big Ten supporter.
Remember when everyone said the Big Ten wasn't that good this year? Yea, me too.
— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) March 29, 2015
The competitive video game player.
Warning, @marchmadness media: Be careful if you ask @BadgerMBB's Frank Kaminsky about his video games. http://t.co/oRmYxQRJkn
— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) March 31, 2015
***
FRANK KAMINSKY, THE STAR
The Big Ten Player of the Year.
ICYMI: Here are the full All-@B1GMBBall teams and honors - http://t.co/fPmjRf3NNO #MarchOnBTN pic.twitter.com/ffqsarWEBH
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 9, 2015
The Access Hollywood reporter.
.@FSKPart3 interviews Will Ferrell for @accesshollywood. #OnlyInLA pic.twitter.com/rZtACWwLqA
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 24, 2015
The Access Hollywood reporter, in video.
So, this happened yesterday. Check out @FSKPart3's interview with Will Ferrell tonight on @accesshollywood http://t.co/u1o27UKXlS
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 25, 2015
The cover boy.
#Badgers #NotDoneYet #MakeEmBelieve pic.twitter.com/CcG6qjba8F
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 29, 2015
The cover boy.
#Badgers This guy was pretty good last night. Experts weight in on what makes him so special: http://t.co/DRHQf66rIn pic.twitter.com/0755qaN1rU
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 21, 2015
The (multiple) SI cover boy.
In the last 12 months, who has been on more @SInow covers than anyone else? That's right, our guy @FSKPart3. #Badgers pic.twitter.com/K8AeLAPPd9
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 18, 2015
The Final Four cover boy.
Take home your piece of the #FinalFour, order the official game program here: http://t.co/ksuHc1trK7 pic.twitter.com/Jl8uCahUCS
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) April 1, 2015
The video of all videos.
https://twitter.com/NIGEL_HAYES/status/584111946766647296
