Photo by: David Stluka
Badgering ... Carmen Backes
December 17, 2018 | Women's Basketball
Freshman looks to contribute during redshirt season
MADISON, Wis. -- Badgers fans will have to wait until next season to see what Carmen Backes can do on the court since she will redshirt this season with a knee injury. The 6-foot-2 forward from Lindstrom, Minnesota, was a finalist for the 2018 Miss Minnesota Basketball after averaging 22.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a senior at Chisago Lakes High School. Backes was a four-star recruit by Prospect Nation and ranked 69th by Blue Star Report.
What has been your biggest adjustment from high school to college?
"For me the biggest adjustment from high school to college has been the independence of living on my own. It took me a few weeks to get used to being able to decide how I want to spend my free time, and how to structure my schedule to make time for homework and taking care of myself. Time management is a lot more important to living a healthy lifestyle than it was in high school for me."
How has being a part of such a large freshman class helped you in your transition?
"I'm so grateful that our freshman class is so big because I never feel alone. We have each other to problem solve and empathize with. We have truly become a little family within our larger team family."
What is your favorite thing to do in Madison?
"In the summer, one of my favorite things was walking and biking along the path out to Picnic Point by the lake. I loved being able to escape from the busyness of campus and enjoy nature. Some nights I brought my hammock with me and read my book right by the water."
How has your adjustment academically been? What has been most helpful to you?
"I absolutely love all my classes here and I think the biggest change for me has been positive because I have found a new love for learning outside of class. I find myself thinking and discussing the topics I am learning about outside of class much more frequently then I did in high school. Time management skills have also definitively helped make the transition smooth."
How have the upperclassmen helped you in your first year?
"The upperclassman have been fantastic and have taken us all under their wings. They truly want to see us succeed and they remember being new and in our shoes. For me, the biggest support has been them just inviting me over for a home-cooked meal at their apartments and encouraging me that things get easier and to just be patient with the process."
What is your favorite thing to do with your teammates off the court?
"I really enjoy making food together with my teammates along with going to the movies and shopping on our off days."
You will be redshirting this season with a knee injury. How to you continue to help your team during practices and games?
"Unfortunately I won't be on the court this season but I intend to stay engaged with the team at all practices by encouraging them and using my extra set of eyes to help them see where improvements can be made. I also think I can use my experience with injuries to come along side of others while they recover and help them work though the tough emotions that come with sitting out."
Your dad was an Olympic track athlete. Did he ever pressure to compete in track? Or what did he tell you about being an athlete?
"My dad was always extremely supportive of my passion for basketball and aspirations to pursue that instead of track although I did throw in middle school for a little bit. He has always been a big inspiration to me and I have worked hard to make him proud. I'm very lucky to have parents who both competed in college athletics and understand the sacrifices it takes to be successful."
Why Wisconsin?
"I chose Wisconsin because I wanted to play in a competitive conference like the Big Ten for coaches that I trust will care about me as a player and a person. I also fell in love with the campus and the opportunities here to develop as ab athlete and a student."
Â
Most memorable basketball game: playing in the state tournament in seventh grade
My favorite thing about Wisconsin basketball is: I love the history of success around Wisconsin and the opportunity we have to extend that elite level of competition to the women's basketball program
Favorite thing to do off the court with my teammates is: get ice cream at the Terrace
Most memorable basketball achievement: Nike Nationals with my AAU team North Tartan
What is your earliest basketball memory? I remember wearing a Lynx jersey every day and shooting outside in the rain at night with my glow in the dark basketball net
Team goal for the season: make it to the post-season
Individual goal for the season: I want to stay healthy and contribute to the team on the court
Who inspires you and why? Overcoming injuries in the past and seeing how far I have come and how hard I have fought to play basketball again inspires me to give my best attitude and effort when working out and playing.
What are you most looking forward to this season? rebuilding our team's reputation as competitive in the Big Ten
Dream as a collegiate player: to play in the NCAA Tournament
Post-college plans: I want to become a speech therapist and work with kids
What has been your biggest adjustment from high school to college?
"For me the biggest adjustment from high school to college has been the independence of living on my own. It took me a few weeks to get used to being able to decide how I want to spend my free time, and how to structure my schedule to make time for homework and taking care of myself. Time management is a lot more important to living a healthy lifestyle than it was in high school for me."
How has being a part of such a large freshman class helped you in your transition?
"I'm so grateful that our freshman class is so big because I never feel alone. We have each other to problem solve and empathize with. We have truly become a little family within our larger team family."
What is your favorite thing to do in Madison?
"In the summer, one of my favorite things was walking and biking along the path out to Picnic Point by the lake. I loved being able to escape from the busyness of campus and enjoy nature. Some nights I brought my hammock with me and read my book right by the water."
How has your adjustment academically been? What has been most helpful to you?
"I absolutely love all my classes here and I think the biggest change for me has been positive because I have found a new love for learning outside of class. I find myself thinking and discussing the topics I am learning about outside of class much more frequently then I did in high school. Time management skills have also definitively helped make the transition smooth."
How have the upperclassmen helped you in your first year?
"The upperclassman have been fantastic and have taken us all under their wings. They truly want to see us succeed and they remember being new and in our shoes. For me, the biggest support has been them just inviting me over for a home-cooked meal at their apartments and encouraging me that things get easier and to just be patient with the process."
What is your favorite thing to do with your teammates off the court?
"I really enjoy making food together with my teammates along with going to the movies and shopping on our off days."
You will be redshirting this season with a knee injury. How to you continue to help your team during practices and games?
"Unfortunately I won't be on the court this season but I intend to stay engaged with the team at all practices by encouraging them and using my extra set of eyes to help them see where improvements can be made. I also think I can use my experience with injuries to come along side of others while they recover and help them work though the tough emotions that come with sitting out."
Your dad was an Olympic track athlete. Did he ever pressure to compete in track? Or what did he tell you about being an athlete?
"My dad was always extremely supportive of my passion for basketball and aspirations to pursue that instead of track although I did throw in middle school for a little bit. He has always been a big inspiration to me and I have worked hard to make him proud. I'm very lucky to have parents who both competed in college athletics and understand the sacrifices it takes to be successful."
Why Wisconsin?
"I chose Wisconsin because I wanted to play in a competitive conference like the Big Ten for coaches that I trust will care about me as a player and a person. I also fell in love with the campus and the opportunities here to develop as ab athlete and a student."
Â
Off the court with Carmen
First started basketball:second gradeMost memorable basketball game: playing in the state tournament in seventh grade
My favorite thing about Wisconsin basketball is: I love the history of success around Wisconsin and the opportunity we have to extend that elite level of competition to the women's basketball program
Favorite thing to do off the court with my teammates is: get ice cream at the Terrace
Most memorable basketball achievement: Nike Nationals with my AAU team North Tartan
What is your earliest basketball memory? I remember wearing a Lynx jersey every day and shooting outside in the rain at night with my glow in the dark basketball net
Team goal for the season: make it to the post-season
Individual goal for the season: I want to stay healthy and contribute to the team on the court
Who inspires you and why? Overcoming injuries in the past and seeing how far I have come and how hard I have fought to play basketball again inspires me to give my best attitude and effort when working out and playing.
What are you most looking forward to this season? rebuilding our team's reputation as competitive in the Big Ten
Dream as a collegiate player: to play in the NCAA Tournament
Post-college plans: I want to become a speech therapist and work with kids
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball Wisconsin Women's Basketball Postgame Media Conference || Oct. 27, 2025
Monday, October 27
Robin Pingeton Introductory Media Conference || Wisconsin Women's Basketball || April 1, 2025
Tuesday, April 01
Wisconsin Women's Basketball: Introducing Coach Pingeton
Tuesday, April 01
Connected || Serah Williams
Friday, February 14
