Wisconsin Men’s Basketball 2022-23 Yearbook Awards & Superlatives

There is a lot of negative talk about the Wisconsin Men’s Basketball team going around right now — and understandably so. UW currently has a record of (15-11, 7-9 Big Ten) and sits at 11th in the conference standings, meaning the Badgers tournament hopes are dwindling. 

But having a negative mindset never got anyone anywhere. So, here’s a little pick-me-up for the Wisconsin men’s basketball fans still holding onto hope and in desperate need of some positivity. 

Without further ado, here are the Badger hoops 2022-23 Yearbook Awards & Superlatives. 

Best Hair: Chucky Hepburn

Jan 23, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn (23) gestures after making a three point basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Chucky Hepburn is recognized for his hair, and he has merch simply with his hair on it. If you can profit off of your hair — you win the award for best hair — no further explanation is needed. 

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball’s Best Smile: Tyler Wahl

Dec 29, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) during introductions before the game with the Illinois State Redbirds at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Even though the Badgers haven’t had much to smile about lately, Tyler Wahl is still one of the smiliest/happiest players in my recent memory. 

The Minnesota native seems to be a very happy guy with a charismatic smile. 

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball’s Life of the Party: Kamari McGee

Feb 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) celebrates a scoring run against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports

Kamari McGee walked onto campus and instantly became one of the faces of the Wisconsin men’s basketball team. 

While he might not play the most significant role on the team, he is plastered all over their social media pages. 

You can tell he’s a goofball that easily made friends despite being a transfer from UW-Green Bay. If you haven’t watched the mini-series on Big Ten Network that follows the team through France, go watch it, and you’ll understand exactly what I mean. 

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball’s Class Clown: Ross Candelino

Dec 30, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Ross Candelino, front, celebrates a three-pointer by Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (not shown) during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a bit since Wisconsin has had some big personality on the bench, but Ross Candelino stepped up in a major way. 

As a freshman walk-on, Candelino knows it’s not his time to make an impact on the court, but he can, however, impact the game. 

His goofy celebrations and reactions to big shots bring an undeniable energy–so take a moment to find Ross on the bench after the next big shot; you won’t be disappointed. 

Best Bromance: Carter Gilmore, Chucky Hepburn, and Kamari McGee

Nov 24, 2022; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Kansas Jayhawks guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) drives to the basket as Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (14) and Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) defend during the first half at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Do I know anything about the personal lives and friendships on the Wisconsin men’s basketball team? Absolutely not. 

But I do know that Carter Gilmore, Chucky Hepburn, and Kamari McGee lived together in a single bedroom for months, thanks to an article written by Abby Schnable earlier this summer. 

If you missed the story, Kamari and Chucky started searching for housing for the 2022-2023 school year a little late. When they finally started their search, the place they decided on was unavailable until late August. So what did they do from June to August? 

Fellow teammate Carter Gilmore was gracious enough to take them in for several months — and all three Badgers shared a bedroom, bathroom, and closet. 

I have no idea what their relationship looks like now; living in that close of quarters would be difficult. But three men sharing one bedroom sounds like a bromance to me. 

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball’s Most likely to succeed: Max Klesmit

Feb 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) celebrates scoring a basket during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports

For this award, I’d like to preface things by saying I know nothing about what the Wisconsin men’s basketball player’s majors might be — or even what their grades look like — and I’m also not referring to what anyone’s basketball career might look like after college. 

For most likely to succeed, I have chosen Wofford transfer Max Klesmit simply based on his drive and ambition. 

You can see that in every game, he is giving 110%. Klesmit plays with so much heart, even when things aren’t falling their way. If the 6-foot-3 guard brings the same kind of energy to his personal and professional life, there is no doubt he will succeed in whatever journey is next. 

A Judgmental Women’s Thoughts on the Wisconsin Basketball Team

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