Bronson Koenig
- School
- Wisconsin
- Position
- Guard
- Major
- Life Sciences Communication
Classroom
Bronson Koenig is currently majoring in life sciences communication and is on track to graduate in May 2017.
Character
Koenig is a leader and one of the team captains. A Native American, Koenig has served as a spokesman and role model for that community, frequently giving speeches, making appearances and being visible to his fellow Native Americans. “Being a role model, speaking out about issues and offering encouragement to the Native American community is one of the biggest priorities in my life,” said Koenig. “I’m trying to make an impact any way I can.”
Head Coach Greg Gard added: “The commitment Bronson has shown to preparing for this season has set a great example for his teammates. He isn’t the loudest guy, but he leads through his actions, and when he speaks, his teammates listen.”
Community
Koenig has volunteered for many activities in the Native American community, giving speeches to youth groups, assisting in basketball clinics and attending pow-wows. Koenig drove 11 hours each way this fall to show support for Native Americans and help with a basketball camp for area youth in Standing Rock, North Dakota. Events that Koenig volunteered with include Caleb’s Pitch, hospital visits, senior center visits, basketball camps for youth, kids fairs, Make-A-Wish, classroom visits and a year-long Flat Bucky Mentorship Program through which he is paired with a classroom and provides updates with his Flat Bucky throughout the year.
Competition
Koenig is a preseason All-Big Ten selection and is on the Watch List for the Bob Cousy Award. He has been a part of 88 wins in his first three seasons at Wisconsin, helping the Badgers to a pair of Final Fours and the 2016 Sweet 16. Koenig was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2016 and started all 35 games last season, averaging 13.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 2.4 apg. He hit a pair of last-second game-winners last season including a 3-pointer at the buzzer to defeat Xavier in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Koenig entered his senior season needing 71 points and 27 assists to become the 14th player in UW history with 1,000 points and 250 assists. At nomination time, he ranked fourth in school history with a 2.17 career assist-to-turnover ratio and ranked 10th with 167 career 3-pointers.
