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Madison, WI - When Wisconsin basketball celebrated its six outgoing players on Senior Day, one thing became clear: The Badgers will look much different in the fall.
Among those six was Max Klesmit, an in-state product from Neenah. The guard spent two seasons with the Wofford Terriers before transferring closer to home. In his time with the Badgers, Klesmit became known for his tenacious defense, his shooting ability from three-point range, and his outspoken persona.
When I asked Klesmit before the season at Big Ten Media Day and in Denver during the NCAA Tournament what he hoped to accomplish at UW in his senior year, he had the same answer both at the outset and at the end of the season: "Leave it better than how you found it."
Wisconsin Basketball Guard Max Klesmit Posts Goodbye Message to College Basketball
In a social media post Wednesday evening, Klesmit wrote, "The last 5 years have been the most memorable and life changing years of my life."
"Not to sound cliche but it really does go by fast. I never used to believe my mom when she said thatBut here we are, 5 years later, saying goodbye to college hoops.
I have to give a huge thanks to the Wofford community. You took a young Wisconsin kid in, 900 miles away from home, and made it feel like I grew up there. Without my teammates and coaches there my dream of becoming a Badger would have never came true.
Klesmit earned All-Southern Conference honors both of his seasons with the Terriers. He was selected by the media to the All-Freshman team in 2021. As a sophomore, he averaged 14.9 points per game and started 31 games en route to being named Third Team All-SoCon.
Klesmit continued:
"I am beyond grateful and blessed to have played for two outstanding programs. And that is what these pictures represent. Programs that dive deeper into life than just hoops. Each picture I chose has a deeper meaning to me (there isn’t enough space to share so yall can decide for yourselves:)
These are my brothers. I would go to war for any of my teammates and coaches if you truly know me. And even though I’m Alumni now, the Wofford and Badger community still hold the same spot in my heart.
Thank you to my FAMILY. I am forever in debt to my parents and how much support they show me. To my two younger siblings, thank you for being my daily motivation.
Although this is an end to a really really good chapter… my book is not finished. Thank you everyone who helped me get to where I am today
❤️ Klez
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