Former UW-Green Bay guard Kamari McGee transfers to Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. (BVM) – Kamari McGee’s first season at the Division I level may not have gone how he wanted it to, but he certainly learned a lot from the experience.
“I learned that the game isn’t just your physical abilities, it has a lot to do with how you carry yourself mentally,” McGee said. “I learned that a lot, like yeah you can put hard work in but if you’re not strong up here, then that will throw everything else off so I learned to be mentally strong.”
The UW-Green Bay freshman was a part of a Phoenix team that went 4-16 in the Horizon League and 5-25 overall. For the former Racine St. Catherine’s guard, his freshman year with the Phoenix was a change from what he was used to.
In high school, McGee was a main contributor, along with former Iowa State guard Tyrese Hunter, on a St. Catherine’s team that went 53-1 over two seasons and won the WIAA Division 3 state title his senior year in 2021. That season, McGee averaged 16.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Angels.
“It definitely was tough given where I came from in my high school years but that goes back to the mental toughness,” McGee said. “That’s what really helped my mental game just because I know the season wasn’t going how we wanted it to go and any other player that wasn’t mentally tough would just quit or give up but that really made me actually mentally stronger.”
He never wavered in his competitiveness or positivity. McGee quickly earned a starting spot with the Phoenix and held onto it until the end of the season. In all, he started 20 games for UWGB and became its leader in scoring (11.6) and steals (1.1).
“I did my best to try and do a little bit of everything,” McGee said. “Whether we need to score I would score, if I needed to get some assists, get my teammates going I would do that, I would guard the other team’s, if he was a guard, I would guard the other team’s best player. I just did a little bit of everything and I would keep the guys going because I like to stay positive even when things are hard.”
McGee’s game log for the Phoenix showcases his willingness to take on whatever role the team needed him to fill that day. Against Wright State, McGee scored a career-high 24 points, then against IUPUI, he had four steals and there were also multiple games where the 6-foot guard pulled down nine rebounds. In his last five games with UWGB, McGee averaged 17.6 points on 50.7% shooting.
His contributions earned him All-Horizon League freshman team honors and were also the reason that Wisconsin, Minnesota, BYU, Bradley and UC-Davis were all interested in McGee after he announced he would be entering the transfer portal.
In the end, McGee decided to stay in his home state and announced via Twitter that he would be transferring to Wisconsin, giving the Badgers some depth at the point guard position behind Chucky Hepburn.
“I’m excited to play with Chucky,” McGee said. “I played against him this year and I know he’s a heck of a player.”
The two were even able to talk while McGee was on a visit to Madison recently and they are excited to get on the court. For a Badger team that has lost some depth at the point guard position, McGee is a much needed addition. He is a capable defender and won’t shy away from the big lights of high Division I basketball.
The lessons he learned from his time with UWGB and the mental toughness he’s developed should be a net positive for a young Badgers squad. McGee is also excited to see where his game will go once he begins training with Wisconsin.
“I’m only going to get better playing with better guys,” McGee said. “I know Wisconsin is a winning program so I’m just looking to add to it.”
The initial support McGee has received from Badger fans has been greatly appreciated and already has him excited to get to work. His message to Badger nation is that they should be ready to cheer for a player who will give his all to help Wisonsin defend its Big Ten title.
“You can expect a whole lot honestly,” McGee said. “I’m gonna come out and do what I got to do and try my best to perform at my highest level I can and get the fans going. I can’t wait.”
