Sunnie Clahchischiligi: Get on board with Ho-Chunk Nation player

According to an NCAA report on race and gender demographics, in the 2013-14 season, just 14 men and 28 women identified as being American Indian/Alaskan Native basketball players out of a total of 10,393. Out of 4,900 Division I women’s basketball players only 28 were Native American. Within the last seven seasons, there was no more than 15 Division I men’s basketball players.

Less than one percent of college basketball players represent Native American people in a sport that we pride ourselves in.

Less than one percent. If you ask me we should all be Wisconsin bandwagon fans.

With a number so low, our Native athletes need all the support they can get.

Aside from his cultural background, Koenig has made a name for himself throughout college basketball.

Last season, when Wisconsin fell to Kentucky in the Final Four, Koenig scored 11 points in the first half alone. He was the back-up guard who got his time to shine earlier this year when Wisconsin senior and staring point guard Traevon Jackson broke his foot.

After starting in 18 games this season, he helped Wisconsin to a Big Ten title. He also went from averaging 4.4 points off the bench to an average of 12.2 points.

As the season progressed Koenig gained national attention as a clutch player and a young sophomore who proved to be more than capable to take the reigns as the leading point guard for the team.