Markus Ilver has 'earned the opportunity' to play more for Wisconsin basketball
Wisconsin forward Markus Ilver is showing signs of growth in his final season, making a strong case for more minutes in the Badgers' rotation.
For Markus Ilver, perseverance and trusting the process have led to signs of growth in his senior season with the Wisconsin men’s basketball program.
The 6-foot-9 forward from Estonia has experienced a gradual and sometimes uneven development since joining the Badgers in 2021.
While he hasn’t yet carved out a consistent role in Greg Gard's rotation, his recent growth and improved confidence could soon position him for a more regular and meaningful opportunity off the bench.
"One [player] that's taken a jump is Markus Ilver," Gard said during his radio show. "I'm trying to find a way to get him into the mix because the guy can make shots. He's got size and length to him, he's experienced now, he understands what we want, and quite frankly, he's earned the opportunity. It's my job to try and find the right time to put him in."
A member of the 2021 recruiting class as a three-star prospect out of West Reserve Academy in Ohio, Ilver entered the 2024-25 season with 53 career appearances under his belt, including a career-high 27 during the 2023-24 campaign.
So far this year, Ilver has appeared in eight of Wisconsin’s 14 games, averaging 2.1 points and 0.6 rebounds in just 4.4 minutes per game. While his shooting sits at just 35.7%, his ability to stretch the floor has been apparent, connecting on 4-of-10 attempts from beyond the arc (40%).
That said, Ilver has yet to see action in any of Wisconsin’s three losses or in the more competitive matchups against UTRGV, Pitt, or Butler, suggesting coach Gard has been hesitant to rely on him for spot minutes in tighter contests or against better opponents.
Despite limited minutes, his recent efforts in practice have caught Gard’s attention, with the head coach openly praising his growth.
“Every player develops at their own rate. You can't put them in the microwave, and it’s done in 45 seconds. They’re all maturing at their own rate,” Gard said. “I think for him [Ilver], he's maturing here in year four. I wish I had him another year.”
Reflecting on Ilver’s career, Gard admitted he regrets not redshirting him as a freshman to give him more time to develop. However, Gard has been encouraged by Ilver's progress, particularly in the confidence and consistency that he's seen from the senior.
“He's always shown talent and flashes, but his confidence would wane. It would be just such peaks and valleys,” Gard noted. “And now I see him every day, he's really consistent, really confident. Even on the scout team, he comes over with us, it doesn’t change.
"In the past, I saw variants from a scout team Markus to the rotation Markus. [He] was kind of like he saw a ghost when he came to the rotation. That’s just the maturity and the confidence of a player growing.”
Ilver’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Adjusting to life in a new country while navigating the rigors of college basketball could have led to frustration or even a transfer for many. But Gard commended Ilver for sticking with the program and grinding through those tough moments.
“I’m a fan of his because I’ve watched what he’s come through and how he’s had to overcome coming from a foreign country. And he could have left many times,” Gard said. “We’ve had that conversation, and he chose to stick it out and keep grinding. I’ve watched him persevere.”
Ilver remains behind starters Steven Crowl and Nolan Winter, as well as top frontcourt reserve Carter Gilmore. However, Ilver's recent "jump" could potentially allow him to push Amos—who is still finding his footing as the ninth man in the rotation—for more consistent minutes.
Albeit a small sample size, both Ilver and Amos have shown a tendency to let it fly when they’re on the court, sporting usage rates of 25.1 and 22.4, respectively. That’s simply too high for guys at the back end of the rotation who haven’t consistently contributed in other areas on the floor.
Ilver’s improved confidence and consistency in practice have started to earn Gard’s trust, positioning him for opportunities to contribute beyond garbage-time minutes and into more meaningful stretches of games. If Amos doesn’t take a step forward, there’s a real chance Ilver could start to chip away at his minutes and give Gilmore more of a break as well.
Whether it’s knocking down threes, providing energy off the bench, or competing in practice, Ilver is doing everything he can to turn his steady progress into a tangible impact in his final season—even in a limited role.
"He's an encyclopedia of our sets," said Gard. "I'll ask him something from three years ago. Hey Marcus, we ran such and such. What do we call it? He'll name it, and he'll draw it for me. His Rolodex of information upstairs is really, really good."
As the Badgers navigate a grueling Big Ten slate, Ilver’s ability to step into spot minutes could be pivotal in managing the workload of the regulars—especially with freshman big man Riccardo Greppi sidelined and the potential for additional injuries or foul trouble later in the season.
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