3 University of Wisconsin Alumni Who Played in the NBA

Craig Schoenfeld has served as president of the Des Moines, Iowa-based strategic advocacy and lobby firm CR3connect since 2017. A former director of government relations at Whitaker Strategy Group, he has more than 15 years of political campaign experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from the University of Wisconsin. In his free time at home in Iowa, Craig Schoenfeld enjoys following his alma mater’s basketball team.

Phoenix Suns forward Frank Kaminsky is the only former Wisconsin Badger currently playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA). However, there have been 29 players before him to make it to the league. Three of these players are:

1. Michael Finley — A two-time NBA All-Star, Finley played for four teams over his 15-year career. He led the league in minutes per game in three of the four seasons from 1997–98 to 2000–01 and averaged 15.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists through 1,103 career regular-season games.

2. Devin Harris — Selected fifth overall in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, Harris averaged 10.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game before retiring following the 2018–19 season. He was an All-Star in 2008–09 as a member of the New Jersey Nets.

3. Wes Matthews — Selected 14th overall by the Washington Bullets in the 1980 NBA Draft, Matthews is a two-time NBA champion who played for six teams over the course of his nine-year career.