Kaminsky to Keynote UW-Madison Winter Commencement

Former Badgers star Frank Kaminsky has been named keynote speaker for the university's Winter 2026 commencement ceremony.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Basketball

Kaminsky to Keynote UW-Madison Winter Commencement

The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced Frank Kaminsky as keynote speaker for its Winter 2026 Commencement. Commencement speakers are selected by senior class officers in consultation with the Chancellor's Office.

Why it matters

Kaminsky, who led the Badgers to two Final Fours, is a prominent figure in the program's history, and his selection connects the university's graduating class to one of its most decorated former players. The announcement highlights a link between the Madison campus and its athletic legacy.

The players

Frank Kaminsky

Former Wisconsin Badgers center who won multiple national player of the year awards and later played in the NBA.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Public research university in Madison, Wisconsin, whose commencement ceremonies feature selected speakers chosen by senior class officers.

The details

Kaminsky earned Naismith, Associated Press, Oscar Robertson, and John R. Wooden player of the year honors during his college career. He was selected ninth overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2015 NBA Draft and reached the 2021 NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns.

2014 and 2015: Kaminsky led the Badgers to two Final Fours.
2015: Wisconsin won the Big Ten Tournament, and Kaminsky scored 20 points with 11 rebounds against Kentucky.
2015 NBA Draft: Kaminsky was selected ninth overall by the Charlotte Hornets.
2021: Kaminsky reached the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns.
November 9, 2026: UW-Madison announced Kaminsky as Winter 2026 keynote speaker.

Season Trajectory

Kaminsky's 2014 and 2015 Final Four appearances remain the high-water mark of recent Badgers men's basketball history. The commencement announcement returns his name to the university's public calendar more than a decade after those runs.

Kaminsky's appearance at the Winter 2026 ceremony gives Madison-area graduates and fans a direct connection to the Badgers' Final Four teams. The stub does not indicate any change to ticketing or attendance for the ceremony.

The takeaway

Recognition of former student-athletes at commencement can connect graduating classes to a university's shared history. Readers following Wisconsin basketball can revisit the 2014 and 2015 Final Four seasons as the reference point for Kaminsky's return to campus.