Carter Gilmore Carving Out Unique Role in Wisconsin Basketball Rotation

His stat line won’t jump off the paper at you. Just 3.1 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while averaging 18.1 minutes. But for junior forward Carter Gilmore, the things he does that don’t show up in the stat sheet have been a huge plus for Wisconsin basketball so far in 2022-23.

The offensive rebounds and tap outs, the dives on the floor for loose balls, strong passing around the paint, solid rim protection and on-ball defense, and of course, an occasional drive and score when opportunity calls.

Gilmore embodies all that the Wisconsin basketball program is. Toughness, heart, and grit. Although his three-point shot is inconsistent, his free throw stroke isn’t anything to write home about, and he won’t beat many off the dribble, Gilmore still finds a way to make an impact.

Especially now that Big Ten play has gotten underway, Gilmore’s toughness has really started to show. Seven points in Madison against Maryland and Eight points in the overtime win over Iowa.

In both matchups, he logged over 20 minutes and was a crucial part of closing both games down the stretch. And then last night, when senior forward Tyler Wahl suffered a lower-body injury against Minnesota that forced him out for the remainder of the game, the Wisconsin native gave Greg Gard a career-high 30 minutes in his absence.

It’s an understatement to say that Gilmore is a bench spark and continues to put himself in the right spots on the court; a great example is his put-back dunk against Lehigh.

CARTER. GILMORE. 🔨@CarterGilmore03 x @BadgerMBB pic.twitter.com/oT7XCY9223

— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) December 16, 2022

Gilmore’s Importance to Wisconsin Basketball

Gilmore follows a long line of scrappy  forwards before him, some include current assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft, Ethan Happ, Vitto Brown, Tyler Wahl, and Tim Jarmusz. Some were stronger, faster, more athletically inclined, or could shoot the three — but all share a hard-nosed identity.

Especially when Tyler Wahl or Steven Crowl are in foul trouble, Gilmore has proven to be necessary depth for Wisconsin basketball. As Big Ten play moves into full swing in January and beyond, one could assume the 6-foot-7 forward may see an even larger role off the bench as injuries and foul trouble come into play. Whether he succeeds or not depends on if his offensive development continues to show.

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