Former Wisconsin basketball forward signs professional contract
Former Wisconsin basketball forward Markus Ilver signed a deal with the University of Tartu men's basketball team on Monday.
Located in Tartu, Estonia, the pro squad competes under the University of Tartu Academic Sports Club umbrella and suits up against opponents in the Estonian-Latvian Basketball League and the Korvpalli Meistriliiga. The organization is responsible for over 25 Estonian League Championships and nearly 20 Estonian cup titles.
Following a four-year stint with the Badgers in Madison, Ilver will now travel to compete in his home country. A native of Tallinn, Estonia, Ilver arrived at UW after a pair of high school seasons, one at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, and one at Massanutten Military Academy in Virginia.
Ilver played 72 total games from 2019-25, logging a career-best 27 appearances as a junior during the 2023-24 slate. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 1.3 points and 0.9 rebounds in 5.2 minutes off the bench in a depth role.
On Dec. 22, 2024, Ilver dropped a career-best eight points in a win over Detroit Mercy. Weeks later, he played a career-high 10 minutes against Minnesota and knocked down a pair of 3-point looks in a 21-point triumph. Ilver becomes the second former Badger to sign a professional contract to play overseas this offseason, joining forward Carter Gilmore.
Several high-profile Badgers, including Nigel Hayes, have found success overseas. In Hayes' case, his EuroLeague Final Four MVP recently netted him a deal with the Phoenix Suns. Frank Kaminsky, another Badger legend, suited up in Serbia before making a return to the NBA.
While Ilver may never attain an NBA contract, his upcoming experience overseas is another step in his basketball journey.
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