Best Wisconsin basketball players of the 21st century
10. Mike Wilkinson (2001-05)
Wilkinson played a huge role in this era of Wisconsin basketball, as he was a freshman in Bo Ryan's first season with the Badgers. His inside-out game was crucial for the Wisconsin offense, which appeared in the Elite Eight during his final season. Wilkinson currently ranks in the program's top ten all-time in points.Jamie Squire
Wilkinson played a huge role in this era of Wisconsin basketball, as he was a freshman in Bo Ryan's first season with the Badgers. His inside-out game was crucial for the Wisconsin offense, which appeared in the Elite Eight during his final season. Wilkinson currently ranks in the program's top ten all-time in points.Jamie Squire
9. Nigel Hayes (2013-present)
Hayes has had various up-and-down moments during his Wisconsin career, but his contributions since the day he stepped on campus cannot go unnoticed. Hayes was a vital role player as an underclassmen during Wisconsin's two Final Four runs, which has carried over now that he is the lead dog as an upperclassmen. Hayes finished in the top three in minutes played, points, rebounds, assists, and steals among Badger players this season.Stacy Revere
Hayes has had various up-and-down moments during his Wisconsin career, but his contributions since the day he stepped on campus cannot go unnoticed. Hayes was a vital role player as an underclassmen during Wisconsin's two Final Four runs, which has carried over now that he is the lead dog as an upperclassmen. Hayes finished in the top three in minutes played, points, rebounds, assists, and steals among Badger players this season.Stacy Revere
8. Ethan Happ (2014-present)
I know it's early, but after redshirting his first season in Madison, Happ has developed into one of the best big men in the country. Happ took home Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors last season, and has already topped it with a first team All-Big Ten award this year. The 20-year-old still has two more years of eligibility and is on pace to join the long list of great Wisconsin big men.Dylan Buell
I know it's early, but after redshirting his first season in Madison, Happ has developed into one of the best big men in the country. Happ took home Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors last season, and has already topped it with a first team All-Big Ten award this year. The 20-year-old still has two more years of eligibility and is on pace to join the long list of great Wisconsin big men.Dylan Buell
7. Trevon Hughes (2006-10)
Hughes' ability to turn himself into a three-point marksman over his career was a huge development, as Wisconsin made the tournament all four times during his career, including one Sweet 16 appearance. Hughes averaged 15.3 points per contest his senior season, while hitting 40 percent of his three-pointers on nearly six attempts per game. Hughes ranks in the top 20 all-time in points for the Badgers.Andy Lyons
Hughes' ability to turn himself into a three-point marksman over his career was a huge development, as Wisconsin made the tournament all four times during his career, including one Sweet 16 appearance. Hughes averaged 15.3 points per contest his senior season, while hitting 40 percent of his three-pointers on nearly six attempts per game. Hughes ranks in the top 20 all-time in points for the Badgers.Andy Lyons
6. Sam Dekker (2012-15)
Dekker wasn't always a big-time scorer at Wisconsin (he never averaged 14 points per game in a season) but his presence on those two Final Four teams cannot be denied. Possibly his best game in a Badgers uniform came against Arizona in the Elite Eight in 2015, when he dropped 27 points on 5-6 three-point shooting to propel Wisconsin to their second straight Final Four appearance.Andy Lyons
Dekker wasn't always a big-time scorer at Wisconsin (he never averaged 14 points per game in a season) but his presence on those two Final Four teams cannot be denied. Possibly his best game in a Badgers uniform came against Arizona in the Elite Eight in 2015, when he dropped 27 points on 5-6 three-point shooting to propel Wisconsin to their second straight Final Four appearance.Andy Lyons
5. Jon Leuer (2007-11)
Leuer consistency was crucial for Bo Ryan's Badger squads. During his senior season, Leuer averaged 18.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while hitting 37 percent of his threes. Leuer was a part of two Sweet 16 runs in both his freshman and senior years.Andy Lyons
Leuer consistency was crucial for Bo Ryan's Badger squads. During his senior season, Leuer averaged 18.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while hitting 37 percent of his threes. Leuer was a part of two Sweet 16 runs in both his freshman and senior years.Andy Lyons
4. Jordan Taylor (2008-12)
Once Taylor was named a starter, he became the steady hand the Badgers needed at point guard. During his junior year, Taylor dropped 18.1 points and 4.7 assists per game, and was named to the All-Big Ten first team. Taylor guided Wisconsin to two Sweet 16 appearances.Kevin C. Cox
Once Taylor was named a starter, he became the steady hand the Badgers needed at point guard. During his junior year, Taylor dropped 18.1 points and 4.7 assists per game, and was named to the All-Big Ten first team. Taylor guided Wisconsin to two Sweet 16 appearances.Kevin C. Cox
3. Devin Harris (2001-04)
Harris' ability to score and dish powered the Badgers' offense in the early 2000's. Harris averaged 19.5 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.3 rebounds his final season in Madison, which earned him Big Ten Player of the Year honors.
Elsa
Harris' ability to score and dish powered the Badgers' offense in the early 2000's. Harris averaged 19.5 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.3 rebounds his final season in Madison, which earned him Big Ten Player of the Year honors.
Elsa
2. Alando Tucker (2002-07)
Tucker is Wisconsin's all-time leader in scoring. During his final two seasons, he topped 19 points per game both years, and was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and a first-team All-American in 2007. The Badgers reached the Elite Eight in his redshirt sophomore season.Jonathan Daniel
Tucker is Wisconsin's all-time leader in scoring. During his final two seasons, he topped 19 points per game both years, and was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and a first-team All-American in 2007. The Badgers reached the Elite Eight in his redshirt sophomore season.Jonathan Daniel
1. Frank Kaminsky (2011-15)
After barely seeing the court during his first two seasons, Kaminsky blossomed into a superstar during his junior and senior seasons. The seven-foot shooting specialist led the Badgers to back-to-back Final Four appearances in both 2014 and 2015, and capped off his senior year with the Wooden Award, which is given to the top player in the country.Streeter Lecka
After barely seeing the court during his first two seasons, Kaminsky blossomed into a superstar during his junior and senior seasons. The seven-foot shooting specialist led the Badgers to back-to-back Final Four appearances in both 2014 and 2015, and capped off his senior year with the Wooden Award, which is given to the top player in the country.Streeter Lecka