Sam Dekker, once told he ‘lacked the athleticism for Big East basketball’ while in high school at Sheboygan Lutheran, is still playing professionally today
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SHEBOYGAN - A little more than a decade ago, Sheboygan shocked the basketball world when Sheboygan Lutheran standout Sam Dekker sunk a buzzer-beating 3-point shot to give Sheboygan Lutheran its first-ever state championship in 2012.
Dekker, at the time, according to a Sheboygan Press story by Tom Dombeck, admitted to being naive to the entire recruiting process. He didn't think he'd have a shot to join a basketball program like the Wisconsin Badgers. He was even told by Marquette that he "lacked the athleticism for Big East basketball."
At one of the many packed games in 2011 at Sheboygan Lutheran, Badger coach Bo Ryan quietly attended the game to see what Dekker was all about. That was quite a feat in itself as just about everybody knew that night that Ryan was in the house to look at the Lutheran standout.
Dekker said he played his normal game that night, not even thinking about Ryan's appearance. He said he hit a few shots, had some nice passes and a couple of dunks. He thought he had played a decent game.
He couldn't find his dad and coach, Todd Dekker, after that game. When he found his dad, Ryan was standing next to him, talking. He was wondering why Ryan was talking to his dad.
Dekker and Sheboygan were placed on the basketball map when Ryan offered a scholarship that night on the spot, taking both the Dekkers by surprise.
Later in November 2011, Dekker, with his family proudly by his side, signed papers that made him a Badger and furthered his climb in basketball.
Sam would go on to help lead the Badgers to two Final Four appearances, according to a Press article. A week after losing to Duke in the Final Four, he declared to be ready for the NBA draft, ending his final year of college eligibility.
He was drafted by the NBA's Houston Rockets. He would later play with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards.
Then, Dekker signed with Russian club PBC Lokomotiv Kuban of the VTB United League and the EuroCup.
Still in love with the sport, he then signed with the Turk Telekom of the Turkish Super League.
A trip back to North America would have Dekker sign with the Toronto Raptors, making a single regular-season appearance. He would go back to Turkey to sign with the Bahcesehir Koleji of the Turkish Basketball Super League. Dekker's skills would lead the team to win the 2021-22 FIBA Europe Cup.
In 2022, he would sign with the London Lions of the British Basketball League, where he continues his journey.
He still calls Sheboygan home as he continues his professional basketball career.
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This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sam Dekker's NBA, pro basketball journey began in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
