Sam Dekker

Sam Dekker

Dekker (in white) playing for Bahçeşehir Koleji S.K. in December 2021
No. 7–London Lions
Position	Small forward / power forward
League	BBL
Personal information
Born	(1994-05-06) May 6, 1994 (age 29) Sheboygan, Wisconsin, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight	219 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school	Sheboygan Lutheran (Sheboygan, Wisconsin)
College	Wisconsin (2012–2015)
NBA draft	2015: 1st round, 18th overall pick
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career	2015–present
Career history
2015–2017	Houston Rockets
2016	→Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2017–2018	Los Angeles Clippers
2018	Cleveland Cavaliers
2018–2019	Washington Wizards
2019–2020	Lokomotiv Kuban
2020–2021	Türk Telekom
2021	Toronto Raptors
2021–2022	Bahçeşehir Koleji
2022–present	London Lions
Career highlights and awards
BBL MVP (2023) BBL Team of the Year (2023) BBL Cup winner (2023) BBL Cup Final MVP (2023) All-EuroCup Second Team (2023) FIBA Europe Cup champion (2022) 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (2014, 2015) Big Ten All-Freshman team (2013) First-team Parade All-American (2012) Wisconsin Mr. Basketball (2012)
Stats   at NBA.com
Stats   at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals Men's basketball Representing the   United States FIBA Americas U18 Championship 2012 Brazil Team

Samuel Thomas Dekker (born May 6, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the London Lions of the British Basketball League (BBL). Dekker played college basketball for the Wisconsin Badgers. After finishing college on a championship game run in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, Dekker was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. ^[1]

High school career

Dekker was named the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year following his senior season. He was also named 2012 Parade All-American, AP first-team all-state and Wisconsin Basketball Coaches' Association's Mr. Basketball award. He led Sheboygan Lutheran to the school's first-ever WIAA state title. Dekker scored 40 points, including the last 12, in the state title game including the game-winning three-point shot with two seconds left. ^[2]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Sam Dekker SF	Sheboygan, WI	Sheboygan Lutheran	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Jun 15, 2010
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:     Rivals:     247Sports:     ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 4 (SF)   Rivals: 3 (SF)   ESPN: 4 (SF)
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2012 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 10, 2011.

College career

Dekker with Wisconsin in 2012

Freshman season

Dekker played in 35 games (3 starts) as a freshman on the Wisconsin Badgers. He is one of only four true freshman to start under Bo Ryan joining Devin Harris, Alando Tucker and Josh Gasser. He earned Big Ten All-Freshman team recognition as well as honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. He was also two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week (January 14 and March 4, 2013). Dekker scored a season-high 19 points against Arkansas on November 24, 2012, and Nebraska on February 26, 2013. ^[2]

Sophomore season

Before the season, Dekker was named to the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy watch lists. ^[3]

At the conclusion of the regular season in which he started all 38 games, Dekker was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and Third Team All-Big Ten by the media. ^[4]

Junior season

Before the season, Dekker was named to the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy watch lists.

At the conclusion of the regular season, Dekker was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and by the media. But he really only took off in the NCAA Tournament. In the Sweet 16 against the number four seeded North Carolina Tar Heels, Dekker scored a career high 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the 1-seed Wisconsin to a 79–72 victory. In the Elite 8 against the number 2-seeded Arizona Wildcats, Dekker again came up big, scoring a new career high 27 points, including 5 of the Badgers's 10 second-half threes, the final of which is now known nationally as the "Dekker Dagger" shot because it sealed the win for Wisconsin. For these efforts, he was named West Regional Most Outstanding Player during the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. In the Final Four game against the heavily favored and undefeated Kentucky Wildcats, Dekker came through with another huge game, scoring 16 points, including the three that gave Wisconsin the lead for good. The Badgers finished second in the NCAA tournament after losing to Duke in the championship game. ^[5] A week later, Dekker declared for the 2015 NBA draft, forgoing his final year of college eligibility. ^[6]

Professional career

Houston Rockets (2015–2017)

On June 25, 2015, Dekker was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. ^{[1] [7]} On July 7, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Rockets ^{[8] [9]} but subsequently missed the entire 2015 NBA Summer League due to a back injury. ^[10] He appeared in all eight of the Rockets' preseason games, but managed game time in just three of the team's first 11 regular-season games. ^[11] On November 18, 2015, he was ruled out for three months after requiring back surgery. ^[12] On February 19, 2016, he was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' D-League affiliate, on a rehab assignment. ^[13] He was recalled by the Rockets on February 22. ^[14] He went on to receive two more assignments to the Vipers. ^[15]

On December 14, 2016, Dekker scored a career-high 19 points in a 132–98 win over the Sacramento Kings. ^[16] On January 21, 2017, he made his first career start and set a new career high with 30 points in a 119–95 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. ^[17]

Los Angeles Clippers (2017–2018)

On June 28, 2017, the Los Angeles Clippers acquired Dekker, Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Lou Williams, Kyle Wiltjer and a 2018 first-round pick from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Chris Paul. ^[18]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2018)

On August 7, 2018, Dekker was traded, along with the draft rights to Renaldas Seibutis and cash considerations, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for the draft rights to Vladimir Veremeenko. ^[19]

Washington Wizards (2018–2019)

On December 7, 2018, Dekker was traded to the Washington Wizards in a five-player, three-team deal. The Wizards traded Jason Smith and cash considerations to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks sent John Henson, Matthew Dellavedova, and 2021 first- and second-round picks to the Cleveland Cavaliers and received George Hill and a 2021 second-round pick. The Wizards also sent a 2022 second-round pick to the Cavs. ^[20]

Lokomotiv Kuban (2019–2020)

On August 5, 2019, Dekker signed with Russian club PBC Lokomotiv Kuban of the VTB United League and the EuroCup. ^[21]

Türk Telekom (2020–2021)

On July 23, 2020, Dekker signed with Türk Telekom of the Turkish Super League (BSL). ^[22]

Toronto Raptors (2021)

On August 10, 2021, Dekker signed with the Toronto Raptors. ^[23] However, he was waived on November 6, after making a single regular season appearance. ^[24]

Bahçeşehir Koleji (2021–2022)

On December 4, 2021, Dekker signed with Bahçeşehir Koleji of the Turkish Basketball Super League. ^[25] The team won the 2021-22 FIBA Europe Cup, with Dekker averaging 13.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. ^{[26] [27]} He helped Bahçeşehir win the 2021–22 FIBA Europe Cup, contributing averages of 11 points and 5.5 rebounds in the Finals.

London Lions (2022–present)

On August 7, 2022, Dekker signed with the London Lions of the British Basketball League (BBL) and the EuroCup. ^[28] In his inaugural season, the Lions won both the 2022–23 BBL Cup and Championship, and Dekker was the top scorer in the EuroCup regular season. In May, Dekker was named the MVP of the 2022–23 BBL season. ^[29]

Personal life

Dekker playing NBA Live 18 video game at the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles

Dekker has remained a Sheboygan resident throughout his NBA career. In November 2016, Dekker purchased a 1,568-square-foot condo on the Sheboygan River for $289,000. ^[30]

In May 2017, Dekker became engaged to Olivia Harlan, an ESPN and SEC Network reporter, daughter of NBA announcer Kevin Harlan, and granddaughter of NFL Green Bay Packers Chairman Emeritus Bob Harlan. ^[31] The two were married on July 14, 2018. ^[32] In 2022, they welcomed their first child. ^[33]

National team career

In Summer 2012, Dekker was on the under-18 United States national team that defeated Brazil for the gold medal in the FIBA Americas championship, but his play was limited due to an injury. ^[34]

Career statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2015–16	Houston	3	0	2.0	.000	.000	.000	.3	.0	.3	.0	.0
2016–17	Houston	77	2	18.4	.473	.321	.559	3.7	1.0	.5	.3	6.5
2017–18	L.A. Clippers	73	1	12.1	.494	.167	.661	2.4	.5	.3	.1	4.2
2018–19	Cleveland	9	5	18.8	.458	.385	.800	3.7	1.0	1.2	.0	6.3
2018–19	Washington	38	0	16.3	.471	.286	.556	3.0	1.0	.7	.2	6.1
2021–22	Toronto	1	0	1.0	–	–	–	.0	.0	.0	.0	.0
Career		201	8	15.4	.478	.288	.606	3.0	.8	.5	.2	5.5

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2017	Houston	4	0	7.8	.250	.500	.000	2.5	.3	.3	.3	2.3
Career		4	0	7.8	.250	.500	.000	2.5	.3	.3	.3	2.3

College

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2012–13	Wisconsin	35	3	22.3	.476	.391	.690	3.4	1.3	.7	.4	9.6
2013–14	Wisconsin	38	38	29.8	.469	.326	.686	6.1	1.4	.8	.6	12.4
2014–15	Wisconsin	40	40	31.0	.525	.331	.708	5.5	1.2	.5	.5	13.9
Career		113	81	27.9	.493	.348	.695	5.0	1.3	.6	.5	12.1

Eurocup

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG	PIR
2019–20	Lokomotiv Kuban	10	8	27.0	.705	.303	.789	5.3	1.5	.9	.6	13.1	15.6
2022-23	London Lions	16	16	30.8	.528	.263	.677	5.6	2.9	1.3	.7	18.2	19.6

References

1. DeLong, Katie (June 25, 2015). "NBA Draft: Houston Rockets select former Badgers forward Sam Dekker at #21". WITI-FOX6. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
2. "Sam Dekker Wisconsin Badgers profile". UWBadgers.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
3. "Dekker named to Naismith Trophy Watch List". UWBadgers.com. November 21, 2013. Archived from the original on November 30, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
4. "Big Ten Announces 2014 Men's Basketball Postseason Honors: Michigan's Stauskas named Big Ten Player of the Year". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
5. Vinnie Duber (April 7, 2015). "On off night, Sam Dekker blames himself for Badgers' defeat". csnchicago.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
6. "Wisconsin's Sam Dekker headed to NBA draft". USA Today. April 10, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
7. "Rockets Draft Dekker and Harrell". NBA.com. June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
8. "Dekker signs contract with Houston Rockets". The Sheboygan Press. July 7, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
9. Berman, Mark (July 8, 2015). "Rockets, Sam Dekker reach contract agreement". my FOX Houston. Retrieved August 6, 2015.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
10. Feigen, Jonathan (July 13, 2015). "Injuries forcing Rockets to adjust summer league plans for Sam Dekker & Co". Chron.com. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
11. "Sam Dekker 2015–16 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
12. Goodman, Jeff (November 17, 2015). "Sources: Sam Dekker to have back surgery, miss about 3 months". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
13. "Rockets Assign Sam Dekker to Rio Grande Valley". OurSportsCentral.com. February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
14. "Roster Update: Rockets Recall Sam Dekker from..." Twitter. February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
15. "All-Time NBA Assignments". NBA.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
16. "Harden's triple-double helps Houston to 8th straight win". ESPN.com. December 14, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
17. "Dekker scores career-best 30 leading Rockets past Grizzlies". ESPN.com. January 21, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
18. "Press Release: L.A. Clippers Acquire Seven Players and Draft Pick, Including Beverley, Dekker, Harrell and Williams". NBA.com. June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
19. "Cavaliers Acquire Sam Dekker". NBA.com. August 7, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
20. "Wizards acquire Sam Dekker in three-team deal". NBA.com. December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
21. "Lokomotiv Kuban signs Sam Dekker". Eurohoops. August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
22. "Turk Telekom signs Sam Dekker, ex Lokomotiv". Eurobasket. July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
23. Toronto Raptors [@Raptors] (August 10, 2021). "Official: We've signed @dekker to the squad. #WeTheNorth" (Tweet). Retrieved August 14, 2021– via Twitter.
24. Maher, Rory (November 6, 2021). "Raptors Waive Sam Dekker". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
25. Maggi, Alessandro (December 4, 2021). "Bahçeşehir officially signs Sam Dekker". Sportando. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
26. "VOTE: Who do you think will be the FIBA Europe Cup Final MVP?". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
27. "Bahcesehir wins the 2021-22 FIBA Europe Cup". Eurohoops. 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
28. "London Lions sign Sam Dekker". Eurohoops. 2022-08-07. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
29. Gains, Bradley (2023-05-12). "Sam Dekker scoops BBL MVP award for 2022-23 season". Hoopsfix.com. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
30. "NBA player Sam Dekker buys $289,000 condo". MySheboygan.com. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
31. "Sam Dekker engaged to NBA announcer's daughter". New York Post. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
32. "Check out photos from the wedding of former Badgers star Sam Dekker and Olivia Harlan in Door County".
33. Dombeck, Tom. "Twitter reacts to birth of Sam Dekker and Olivia Harlan Dekker's son, Harlan Wolf Dekker". The Sheboygan Press. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
34. Markus, Don (February 22, 2015). "Against old teammate, Terps' Jake Layman seeks to show he belongs". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 19, 2015.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from NBA.com  and  Basketball-Reference.com
• Wisconsin Badgers bio