Top basketball players of the century: Boys No. 3, Frank Kaminsky of Benet

Editors note: The Daily Herald is counting down the Top Ten boys and girls basketball players of the century in our coverage area. We continue today with No. 3 - Frank Kaminsky of Benet and Haley Gorecki of Fremd.

Time to be frank about "The Tank."

It's true Benet graduate Frank Kaminsky made a stunning rise to win multiple college basketball player of the year awards as he led the Wisconsin Badgers to the Final Four.

It's also true that 10 years ago no one could have predicted he'd develop into an NBA lottery pick for the Charlotte Hornets, who drafted Kaminsky with the ninth overall pick.

But while his accomplishments in college and professional basketball are undeniable, it shouldn't overshadow his two-year run at Benet. At 7-feet tall, Kaminsky was one of the best players in the state his senior year in 2010-11.

Paired with point guard Dave Sobolewski, who played at Northwestern, Benet went 29-0 before being upset by East Aurora and Ryan Boatright, who won an NCAA title at Connecticut, in the sectional semifinals.

The inside-out combination was nearly unstoppable.

"They were just incredible for us," said Benet coach Gene Heidkamp. "Frank's versatility was unique for the high-school level. He was a skilled basketball player in a big man's body."

It took time for Kaminsky to figure out his long, lanky body. He didn't reach the varsity level until his junior year and didn't attract his first college scholarship offers until after the season ended.

As soon as Wisconsin offered in June following his junior year, he accepted. Had Kaminsky waited to commit until the summer ended or into his senior season, his list of top-tier college offers would have been vast.

Kaminsky was dominant as the Redwings rolled to 29 straight wins to start the 2010-11 season. He ended the campaign averaging 14.2 points and 8.7 rebounds.

"He was clearly one of the best players in the state his senior year," Heidkamp said.

The rest is well-known history.

Frank "The Tank" Kaminsky became a legend at Wisconsin and averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds with Charlotte before signing a two-year, $10 million contract last off-season with the Phoenix Suns.

But don't forget those Benet days.

"He worked hard and improved every day," Heidkamp said. "He was ready for the next level."

Twitter: @kevin_schmit