Sam Dekker

At 30 years old, Sam Dekker has this physical status:

Samuel Thomas Dekker (born May 6, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for Lokomotiv Kuban of the VTB United League and EuroCup.

In Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Dekker attended Sheboygan Lutheran High School.

He played college basketball for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Dekker, who played in college on a championship game run in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, was rated by the Houston Rockets with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft.

Personal life

Throughout his NBA career, Dekker has been a Sheboygan resident. Dekker bought a 1,568-square-foot condo on the Sheboygan River in November 2016.

In May 2017, Dekker became engaged to Olivia Harlan, the daughter of NBA announcer Kevin Harlan, and the granddaughter of NFL Green Bay Packers Chairman Emeritus Bob Harlan. On July 14, 2018, the two were married.

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High school career

Following his senior season, Dekker was named Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year. He was also named 2012 Parade All-American, first-team all-state and Wisconsin Basketball Coaches' Association Mr. Basketball. He led Sheboygan Lutheran to the school's first-ever WIAA state championship. In the state championship game, Dekker scored 40 points, including the last 12 in the case's title match, which included the game-winning three-point shot with two seconds remaining.

College career

As a freshman with the Wisconsin Badgers, Dekker appeared in 35 games (3 starts). Devin Harris, Alando Tucker, and Josh Gasser are three of Bo Ryan's true freshman to start under Bo Ryan's guidance. He received awards for his service with the Big Ten family as well as the All-Big Ten awards. (January 14 and March 4, 2013) He was also named as the Week's Best Newman of the Week. Dekker scored 19 points against Arkansas on November 24, 2012, and Nebraska on February 26, 2013.

Dekker was nominated to the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy watch lists before the season.

By the media, Dekker was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and Third Team All-Big Ten after the regular season, in which he played all 38 games.

Dekker was invited to the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy watch lists before the season.

Dekker was invited by the coaches and the public to the Second Team All-Big Ten at the conclusion of the regular season. But he did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament until recently. Dekker led the 1-seed Wisconsin to a 79–72 victory over the number four seeded North Carolina Tar Heels. Dekker scored a new career high 27 points, including 5 of the Badgers' 10 second-half threes, the final of which is now regarded internationally as the "Dekker Dagger" shot because it sealed Wisconsin's victory. During the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, he was named the Most Outstanding Player for these efforts. Dekker played another big game against the Kentucky Wildcats, who were heavily favored and undefeated, earning 16 points, including the three that gave Wisconsin the lead for good. After losing to Duke in the championship game, the Badgers finished second in the NCAA tournament. Dekker declared for the 2015 NBA draft, deferring his last year of college eligibility a week later.

Professional career

Dekker was chosen by the Houston Rockets with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft on June 25, 2015. On July 7, he signed his rookie scale with the Rockets, but he missed the entire 2015 NBA Summer League due to a back injury. He appeared in all eight of the Rockets' preseason games, but he had only appeared in three of the team's first 11 regular-season games. Since requiring back surgery, he was out for three months on November 18, 2015. He was drafted to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' D-League affiliate, on a rehabilitation mission on February 19, 2016. He was recalled by the Rockets on February 22. He continued to receive two more assignments to the Vipers.

In a 132-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Dekker scored a career-high 19 points on December 14, 2016. In a 119–95 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, he got off to a good start in his career and set a new career record of 30 points.

The Los Angeles Clippers acquired Dekker, Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Lou Williams, Kyle Wiltjer, and a 2017 first-round pick from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Chris Paul.

Dekker was sold by the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with the draft rights to Vladimir Veremeenko, on August 7, 2018.

Dekker was traded to the Washington Wizards as a five-player, three-team contract on December 7, 2018. The Milwaukee Bucks drafted Jason Smith and cash considerations. The Bucks gave the Cleveland Cavaliers John Henson, Matthew Dellavedova, and the 2021 first- and second-round picks along with George Hill and a 2021 second-round pick. The Wizards also gave the Cavs a 2022 second-round pick.

Dekker signed with Russian team PBC Lokomotiv Kuban of the VTB United League and EuroCup on August 5, 2019.

Dekker signed with Türk Telekom of the Turkish Super League on July 23, 2020 (BSL).

Dekker joined the Toronto Raptors on August 10, 2021. However, after making just one regular season appearance, he was released on November 6, but that was after being on the track for the first time.

Dekker signed with Bahçehir Koleji of the Turkish Basketball Super League on December 4, 2021. With Dekker's average 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, the team captured the 2021-22 FIBA Europe Cup. He helped Bahçehir win the 2021-2022 FIBA Europe Cup by contributing averages of 11 points and 5.5 rebounds in the Finals.

Dekker joined the London Lions of the British Basketbal League (BBL) and the EuroCup on August 7, 2022.

National team career

Dekker was on the Under-18 United States national team that defeated Brazil for the gold medal in the FIBA Americas championship in summer 2012, but his participation was limited due to injury.

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