Wisconsin basketball alumnus Greg Stiemsma joins Badgers’ coaching staff

Former Wisconsin men’s basketball player Greg Stiemsma was named the Badgers’ new director of player development on Wednesday.

Stiemsma, a member of Wisconsin’s men’s basketball program from 2004-2008, rejoins the Badgers after a successful player development tenure in the NBA.

Beginning in 2021, the Randolph, Wisconsin native worked with the San Antonio Spurs as a video assistant, player development staffer and member of the Spurs’ 2022 NBA Summer League coaching staff. Prior to that point, Stiemsma worked in player development for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2019-21.

Aside from coaching, Stiemsma enjoyed a successful four-year collegiate tenure on the hardwood in Madison. The 6-foot-11, 260-pound center appeared in 95 games, four NCAA tournaments and helped UW win the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles in 2008.

Stiemsma played in 203 games across four seasons in the NBA from 2011-15 with Boston, Minnesota, New Orleans and Toronto. He also played professional basketball in Turkey and Korea prior to his stint with the NBA D League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce.

With experience in developing players like Karl Anthony-Towns and Victor Wembanyama, Stiemsma should be an excellent resource for Wisconsin’s big men in the coming years. Nolan Winter, Will Garlock and veteran center Steven Crowl are among the names who can absorb a few tidbits from the former NBA player.

Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire