NEWS

Badgers Hold Open Basketball Tryouts

Reporting By: Stephanie Liebergen

Videography by: Ryan Reszel

The Wisconsin Men's Basketball team already played two exhibition games, but Head Coach Bo Ryan may soon get a new player on his roster.

There were 15 players on the court for Tuesday's practice at the Kohl Center, but last week UW students showed off their basketball skills to try and fill the last spot.

Assistant Coach Gary Close said, “It went great. We had a terrific turnout. We had over 40 kids try out, which I thought was really impressive with just A short amount of notice to let people know. And they got after and it was a great bunch of guys, and so I thought it went real well.”

During tryouts coaches made two rounds of cuts, first sending home around 30 hopefuls, and then they narrowed it down to a handful of finalists. Those that didn't make the cuts still left with high spirits.

Badger hopeful, Casey Shorts, said “But it was pretty cool to get that opportunity to try out for the Badgers…and hopefully become one, but not this time I guess.”

Wisconsin lost three seniors to graduations last year, and the current Badgers know they won't be easily replaced. However, they are looking foward to aadding a new member to the team.

Sophomore guard Jason Bohannon said, “We’re excited about it, get another guy on the floor and being able to make us better each and every day. It’s always great to have another teammate.”

Open tryouts are not an every year occurance for the Badgers, but this year's open roster spot allowed the student body to get more involved with Badger sports.
Close told us, “This is my 5th year and they have not done it since I’ve been here. I think they did do it their first year when they were short some players, but this is the first time it’s been done in the five years I’ve been here.”

Young boys may dream of playing basketball on the Kohl Center floor, and for one lucky UW students, that dream may finally come true.

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