Sam Dekker's Wisconsin men's basketball career in photos
Sam Dekker was a part of two Final Four teams and averaged 12.1 points and 5.0 rebounds across 113 games for the Badgers. Here's a look back at his career.
Carol Dekker, left, points to where Sam should sign Wendesday November 9, 2011 while his dad Todd, right, watches during Sam's signing with UW-Madison for basketball. Photo by Gary C. Klein/The Sheboygan Press
Sheboygan Area Lutheran's Sam Dekker (1) goes to the basket for two points over McDonell Central's Austin Hiess (42) in the second period of the WIAA Div. 5 semifinal game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Thursday, March 15, 2012. M.P. King-State Journal (Published on 06/16/2012) "He's got a lot of different components to his game," Oregon native Shaka Smart said of UW recruit Sam Dekker.
Sheboygan Area Lutheran's Sam Dekker (1) brings the ball up the court in the second period against McDonell Central in the WIAA Div. 5 semifinal game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Thursday, March 15, 2012. In the background is Dekker's father and head coach, Todd Dekker. M.P. King-State Journal (Published on 3/21/12) Sam Dekker scored 75 points in two WIAA state tournament games last weekend, a Division 5 record. (Published on 3/15/2018) Sam Dekker scored a total of 75 points in two games to lead Sheboygan Lutheran to the Division 5 state championship in 2012. His last-second shot from the corner provided the difference in Sheboygan Lutheran’s 67-66 victory over Racine Lutheran in the title game.
Badgers' Sam Dekker at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, October 23, 2012. Amber Arnold-State Journal
Badger's Sam Dekker gets interviewed by the media at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, October 23, 2012. Amber Arnold-State Journal (Published on 10/24/12) Freshman Sam Dekker speaks to reporters at UW's media day on Tuesday.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) reacts to an Ohio State Buckeyes turnover he forced in the second half of a game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. M.P. King-State Journal (Published on 2/18/13) An early 18-0 run propels Badgers to rout in Big Ten matchup
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) pumps up the crowd after an Ohio State Buckeyes turnover in the second half of a game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. M.P. King-State Journal
University of Wisconsin men's basketball sophomore Sam Dekker, pictured at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Friday, October 11, 2013. John Hart -- State Journal
UW-Madison guard Sam Dekker (15) dunks the ball during a game against UW-Green Bay at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis., on November 16, 2013. Lukas Keapproth/Press Gazette Media
Wisconsin's Sam Dekker dunks the ball in the first half of a game against Marquette at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Saturday, December 7, 2013. Amber Arnold -- State Journal
Wisconsin's Traevon Jackson (12), Frank Kaminsky (44) and Sam Dekker (15) celebrate after Kaminsky dunked the ball in the second half of a game against Marquette at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Saturday, December 7, 2013. Amber Arnold -- State Journal (Published on 12/8/13) From left, Traevon Jackson, Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker react after Kaminsky’s dunk in the second half.
Wisconsin's Sam Dekker puts up a shot with Eastern Kentucky's Eric Stutz, at right, in the first half of a game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Saturday, December 14, 2013. Amber Arnold -- State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15), left, and guard Ben Brust (1), right celebrate their victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes in a game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) drives to the basket for two points and a foul shot between Northwestern Wildcats guard Tre Demps (14) and guard/forward Sanjay Lumpkin (34) in the second half of a game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) is injured late in the first half of a third round NCAA tournament game against the Oregon Ducks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Saturday, March 22, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) dunks the ball in the second half of a second round NCAA tournament game against the American University Eagles at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Thursday, March 20, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 7/15/2014) Sam Dekker averaged 12.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting .469 from the field last season.
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan and his team leave the floor celebrating their win over the Oregon Ducks in a third round NCAA tournament game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Saturday, March 22, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 3/23/14) Coach Bo Ryan, Sam Dekker and UW players leave the floor after Saturday night’s 85-77 comeback victory over Oregon at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. (Published on 10/16/2014) UW returns seven of its top eight players, including junior forward Sam Dekker (15), who last spring advanced to the Final Four under coach Bo Ryan.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) celebrates a call in overtime of a NCAA West Regional Final at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, March 29, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 3/30/14)
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan and his team leave the floor celebrating their win over the Oregon Ducks in a third round NCAA tournament game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Saturday, March 22, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 3/23/14) Coach Bo Ryan, Sam Dekker and UW players leave the floor after Saturday night’s 85-77 comeback victory over Oregon at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. (Published on 3/19/2015) Bo Ryan, Sam Dekker and the Badgers leave the floor after their win over Oregon in an NCAA tournament game last year at the Bradley Center.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) reacts to his team's loss to the Kentucky Wildcats in a NCAA Final Four game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, April 5, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin's Duje Dukan, center, and Sam Dekker, right, compete for a rebound against Boise State's Kevin Allen during the first half of a game between the teams at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014. John Hart -- State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) is fouled by Green Bay Phoenix forward Greg Mays (15) for his fifth foul in the second half of a game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 11/20/2014) Badgers forward Sam Dekker draws a foul on UW-Green Bay forward Greg Mays in the second half. Mays fouled out on the play. Dekker finished with 15 points.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) hangs on the rim after getting fouled on a made dunk in the second half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) goes for a shot with Northwestern Wildcats forward Vic Law (4), at right, in the second half of a game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Saturday, February 7, 2015. Amber Arnold -- State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) dunks the ball with Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Maurice Walker (15), at right, in the second half of a men's basketball game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Saturday, February 21, 2015. Amber Arnold -- State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) reacts to an offensive foul being called against Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Terran Petteway, right, as forward Vitto Brown (30) looks on the second half of the Badgers' 70-55 Big Ten Conference win at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015. John Hart -- State Journal
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) looks to pass around the defense of Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine (45) during the first half of a game between the teams at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Sunday, March 1, 2015. John Hart -- State Journal
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) laughs as the Coastal Carolina mascot leads a cheer in his direction during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA tournament game in the Round of 64 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb., Friday, March 20, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin forward Nigel Hayes covers his face after making an audible remark about the beauty of a stenographer during a news conference at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 25, 2015. Laughing at left is Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) and Wisconsin forward Frank Kaminsky (44). M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 3/31/2015) Badgers forward Nigel Hayes hides his face after a gushing comment on a stenographer’s appearance was caught by his microphone last week in Los Angeles. (Published on 4/4/2015) Nigel Hayes covers his face after making a remark about a stenographer during a news conference in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) drives to the basket for two points over North Carolina forward Isaiah Hicks (22) late in the second half of an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Thursday, March 26, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 3/27/2015) UW junior Sam Dekker scores against North Carolina’s Isaiah Hicks late in the second half en route to a career-high 23 points. The forward hit 10 of 15 shots and added 10 rebounds.
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker and coach Bo Ryan, left, laugh during a press conference at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, March 27, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin guard Zak Showalter (3), Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) and Wisconsin guard Josh Gasser (21) celebrate their win over Arizona in an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 28, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) drives to the basket on Arizona forward Stanley Johnson (5) during the first half of an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 28, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 4/12/2015) Sam Dekker improved his NBA draft stock thanks to hot shooting in the NCAA tournament.
Wisconsin's Duje Dukan, from left, Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker participate in a Final Four team sendoff at the Kohl Center during the 2015 season. (Michelle Stocker, The Capital Times)
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) defends a shot by Kentucky forward Trey Lyles (41) during the first half of an NCAA Tournament Final Four game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 4, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15), Wisconsin guard Josh Gasser (21), Wisconsin forward Nigel Hayes (10) and Wisconsin forward Frank Kaminsky (44) celebrate points scored during the first half of an NCAA Tournament Final Four game against Kentucky at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 4, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 4/5/2015) From left, Sam Dekker, Josh Gasser and Nigel Hayes celebrate a first-half score. (Published on 4/18/2015) From left, UW players Sam Dekker, Josh Gasser, Nigel Hayes and Frank Kaminsky celebrate during the Badgers’ victory over Kentucky in the NCAA men’s basketball semifinals April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) runs off the floor after the Badgers' win over Kentucky in an NCAA Tournament Final Four game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 4, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 4/11/2015) UW forward Sam Dekker runs off the floor after the Final Four victory over Kentucky at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) is fouled by Kentucky guard Devin Booker (1), left, also defended by Kentucky guard Andrew Harrison (5) during the second half of an NCAA Tournament Final Four game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 4, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA Tournament Final Four game against Kentucky at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 4, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin forward Nigel Hayes (10) and Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) laugh during a press conference at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Sunday, April 5, 2015. Wisconsin will play Duke in the National Championship game Monday night. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 04/07/2015) UW forward Nigel Hayes, left, and forward Sam Dekker laugh during a news conference at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday — one day after the Badgers defeated previously unbeaten Kentucky 71-64 in the semifinals.
Wisconsin forward Nigel Hayes (10) and Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) glance over at the stenographer table during a press conference at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Sunday, April 5, 2015. Wisconsin will play Duke in the National Championship game Monday night. M.P. KING -- State Journal
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) wipes his face during a timeout during the first half of the NCAA menÕs basketball championship game against Duke at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Monday, April 6, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal
From left, Wisconsin guard Josh Gasser (21), Wisconsin guard Bronson Koenig (24) and Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) react to their loss to Duke in the NCAA menÕs basketball championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Monday, April 6, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 04/07/2015) From left, UW guards Josh Gasser, Bronson Koenig and forward Sam Dekker walk off the floor after the loss to Duke in the national championship game on Monday night. The Badgers ended their season 36-4, finishing with a school record for victories.
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) hits a three point basket over Arizona forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23) late in the second half of an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 28, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 4/11/2015) Sam Dekker was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament West regional after setting career highs in points in back-to-back games.
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker (15) celebrates his team's win over Arizona in an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 28, 2015. M.P. KING -- State Journal (Published on 4/11/2015) UW junior forward Sam Dekker’s breakout NCAA tournament performance included being named Most Outstanding Player of the West regional after setting back-to-back career highs in points vs. North Carolina and Arizona. Dekker announced Friday that he will forgo his final season with the Badgers and enter the NBA draft, where he is expected to be a first-round pick.
The former Wisconsin forward played a single season with the Clippers when NBA legend Jerry West held an executive role.
