People think your resume is your records and awards and championships, but when I say resume, I mean my experiences and what I’ve been through. I have such a unique opportunity to relate to just about anything or anybody because I’ve been through a lot the last five years and I’ve derived a lot from these moments. They’re the kind that define you, that enlighten you, that keep you honest and hungry. I think I’m going to have a great opportunity – a privilege – to relate and mentor my guys when that time comes.

I’ll be able to tell my players that adversity is be the best teacher, the best motivator, of all.

At the start of my freshman season, UW had a streak of 19 consecutive NCAA tournament berths and 16 straight seasons where we finished among the top four in the Big Ten Conference. Both came to a screeching halt in 2017-18. Injuries piled up. I had a shoulder problem that bothered me a lot. We lost eight games by five or fewer points. We finished with a losing record for the first time since 1997-98.

It was a painful experience, but one that made me more appreciative of the process. You may think you worked hard and tried your best, but there’s always more you can give. That season motivated me every practice, shoot around and conditioning session since. It made me more thankful for the Big Ten championship we won in 2019-20 and the one we earned earlier this month. It made me more aware of all the people who helped make this journey unforgettable.