Wisconsin Basketball PG Kamari McGee Providing Spark Off the Bench

When Kamari McGee transferred into the Wisconsin basketball program last offseason, there was no question what role he was coming in to play. 

With Chucky Hepburn entrenched as the starting point guard and in the same class as McGee, it was clear that Greg Gard needed him to fill in as the backup despite being the lead man at UW-Green Bay. 

His transition to a higher level of competition has taken some time. Last season, McGee appeared in 31 games and made a minimal impact off the bench. But McGee has found his footing in his second season with the Wisconsin Badgers and is leaning on his core pillars to make the most of his minutes whenever the opportunity knocks. 

Wisconsin Basketball PG Kamari McGee Has Been a Spark Plug Off the Bench

Jan 2, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tony Perkins (11) dribbles the ball against Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports

Although conventional counting stats don’t depict some significant jump for Kamari McGee in his second season with the Wisconsin basketball program, the eye test and a few key numbers help tell a different story.

Yes, the 6-foot Racine native still plays roughly seven minutes per game. But it’s become clear that McGee knows what’s expected of him in those bench minutes he receives because some of his underlying metrics help paint a clearer picture.

When McGee enters the game, Wisconsin needs to get Chucky Hepburn a breather, but they also demand no drop-off in defensive intensity. That’s where Kam has thrived this season — serving as a spark plug on defense.

Despite being 10th on the team in average minutes played per game, McGee is fourth on the Badgers in steals (9). He trails only Max Klesmit (10), Tyler Wahl (13), and Hepburn (22), all of whom are well over 300 minutes played on the season — while McGee still hasn’t cracked 100. He’s had a nose for the ball and makes life difficult for opposing ball-handlers.

Defense ➡️ Offense@KamariMcGee x @BadgerMBB

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/yjxtF7G56F

— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) January 3, 2024

“Having a guy like that that can come off the bench and spark life into us, I think carried over the second half big time, and you know that’s a credit to Kam,” Gard told reporters after the Iowa game. “He [McGee] works, keeps his head down, doesn’t let the naysayers get to him or whatever the outside noise says. He’s a really focused individual, and I’m super proud of him, the way he’s handled himself himself this the whole year.”

He also leads the Wisconsin basketball team in STL%, according to Barttorvik.com (5.5). That’s a significant increase from the 2.0% he had a year ago. But that’s just one instance of how McGee has grown in his role.

The Badgers’ offense has been wildly efficient this season, so scoring the rock isn’t something that’s being asked of him. But McGee has improved his ORTG from 71.4 a year ago to 91.4 thus far.

His points above replacement per game last season was -0.4, but Wisconsin basketball was so thin he had to play. Now, the junior has pushed that number to even while elevating the category that matters most relative to his role: D-PRPG.

McGee’s role has been invaluable to this team, no matter how small.

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