Jack Janicki became a favorite player for Wisconsin Badgers fans for good stretch last season with his hustle and timely three point shots. Head coach Greg Gard expects him to have that role, too, this new season.
Gard also thinks the redshirt sophomore is in the mold of other hustle and dazzle players fans have seen before.
“We have so many of those guys over the years. Goss [Nigel Williams-Goss] or [Zak] Showalter that done things and impact winning that are really, really important,” Gard said during Thursdsy practice as quoted by WISC-TV News 3 reporter Andrew Bandstra.
“Jack’s another one of those guys who has those type of traits, just understands what it takes to win.”
Williams-Goss played for the Badgers for three seasons from 2013 to 2015 before transferring to Gonzaga for his last two years of eligibility. He was part of the McDonald’s All-American (2013), Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2014), and Second-team All-Pac-12 (2015).
He spent most of his professional years in Europe and won the Serbian Cup MVP and Serbian League MVP in 2018.
Showalter was part of the team the same years Williams-Goss was there. His best year was in 2017 when he recorded 13 double digit scoring games. He played 37 games in that year and averaged 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, on 50% FG shooting.
Jack Janicki on new Wisconsin Badgers look
The veterans have departed and the team will feature new faces.
Among those that who are no longer with them are point guard Max Klesmit, Steven Crowl, John Tonje, and Carter Gilmore.
Janicki is only on his second year but he feels old already because of the newcomers.
“I’m starting to feel like a bit of an old head, but I’m not even 21” – @jackjackjanicki
Heading into his redshirt sophomore season, Jack Janicki is already a veteran for @BadgerMBB.
Greg Gard says he continues a tradition of #Badgers that do the little things to win. pic.twitter.com/L1LgnhSe6E
— Andrew Bandstra (@andrewbandstra) July 17, 2025
“I called my mom and I felt like I’ve been here five years. No one has spent that long,” he said after practice.
“I’m starting to feel like a bit of an old head, but I’m not even 21.”
Despite that, he knows his role already in helping the tean.
“I know what to expect here. How to veer those guys in that direction.”
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