B1G Player of the Year: Frank Kaminsky

No surprises were made when the Big Ten committee announced Monday night that Frank Kaminsky would receive the conference player of the year award. Frank was able to beat out the freshman D'Angelo Russell from Ohio State.

Kaminsky, the 7 foot senior for the Wisconsin Badgers, has had a season to remember for many years to come, as he placed in the top ten in 5 different individual statistical categories in the conference:

Frank Kaminsky's Stats:

• Third in scoring averaging 18.4 points per game
• Second in rebounding with 8.1 per game
• Fourth in field goal percentage at 55.9 percent
• Ninth in three point shooting percentage at 41 percent
• Sixth in blocked shots with 1.2 per game

Kaminsky led the Badgers to an impressive 28-3 record overall and 16-2 conference record which helped win them the Big Ten regular season title and earn a double bye in the conference tournament starting later this week in Chicago.

Looking back on Frank's playing career, the smooth big man averaged only 10.3 minutes and 4.2 points per game his sophomore season, but was able to become a national star after his dominating performance last year in the NCAA tournament.

Kaminsky scored at least 12 points in every one of his conference games this season, including scoring 20 or more points ten times in conference play. His biggest game came on senior day, when he scored a season high 31 points against Michigan State.

Frank's ability to stretch the court on the offensive side of the ball has caused havoc on defensives throughout the Big Ten. Inside the post, his ability to use the shot fake multiple times within one possession keeps defenders awake at night, add that with his quick guard like feet, Kaminsky can score at will down low. But post play is not his only option offensively, using his point guard skills he learned in high school and all the basketball knowledge he gained from his father, Frank has been a huge threat from behind the arc. The Badgers take advantage of his shooting ability but running the pick and pop play late in shot clock scenarios causing defenders to switch and Frank to be able to shoot over the smaller guards.

Frank Kaminsky's presence also show up on the defensive side of the court, using his length to grab over 8 rebounds per game, and causing offenses to think twice about driving to the basket because of his ability to block shots.

The Badgers showed just how valuable having Frank on the court really is when they traveled to Rutgers and lost to the conference's worst team 67-62. Kaminsky sat out that game with a concussion, and the Badger team was unable to get things flowing on both sides of the ball. Without Frank stretching the court, opponents are able to focus on Sam Decker and the rest of the team. The Badgers have outscored their opponents by 350 points when Kaminsky is on the court.

Along with the Conference Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky is in the running for National Player of the Year, in what many are thinking is a two man race between him and freshman star Jahlil Okafor.