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Frank Kaminsky: National championship game ‘is going to haunt me for a long time’

By Mark Carman

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky before the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky before the 2015 NCAA Men /
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Frank Kaminsky will be drafted in the lottery Thursday night. Before turning pro, Kaminsky looked back at his Senior Year and the loss to Duke in the championship game

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“I’d trade almost anything to get a chance to play in that game again,” former Wisconsin Badgers star Frank Kaminsky said looking back on the National Championship game. “It’s probably something that is going to haunt me for a long time, coming up short. ”

Those were the words out of Kaminsky’s mouth when asked whether Wisconsin was the best team in the county last year, or if they lost to a better team. Unfortunately for Kaminsky and the Badgers, there will be no rematch like they got facing Kentucky again in the Final Four this year after losing the previous season. Kaminsky called the win over the Wildcats “one of the best of the year,” slightly understating the obvious.

Kaminsky is an interesting draft prospect. He could be an All-Star, but could also be a career bench man. He has met with the New York Knicks who pick 4th overall Thursday night June 25, but could slip closer to No. 15 overall. Kaminsky has the inside-outside, stretch-4 game that is coveted by so many, but can he play defense on the next level? The concern being he is too frail to defend in the post and too slow to handle guarding effectively on the perimeter. Kaminsky believes in himself and his work ethic.

“People can get better at that stuff. If you look at how I improved throughout my college career, what’s to say that I am going to stop improving now,” Kaminsky said. “I’m looking forward to having a long career in the NBA and continue to improve on my skills and capabilities. I’m one of those guys who is driven to be great, I don’t want to be just a good player.”

That attitude should carry a lot of weight with NBA teams looking for help upfront and don’t want to risk a locker room cancer. General managers can also take solace that Kaminsky can contribute in multiple ways offensively.

“I’m comfortable everywhere. I learned all the skills of basketball before I learned a position. I never saw myself a being a big kid,” Kaminsky said.

Kaminsky has been working with Speed Stick #defythedoubt campaign. You can learn more about his story here,

You can also listen to our interview with him here.

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