Sam Dekker Heads To NBA, Leaves Legacy And Tribute To Wisconsin
Wisconsin college basketball standout Sam Dekker announced earlier today that he would forgo his final year in Madison and head to the NBA.
Hot off an amazing Final Four win against an unbeaten Kentucky team and a tough NCAA championship loss (some would say referee-inspired loss) to an outstanding Duke team, Sam Dekker has announced his intentions to enter the NBA draft.
A favorite player for fans and admitted favorite player for NBA great Reggie Miller, Sam Dekker is a home-grown Wisconsinite, something that Sam was quick to mention in his letter to the Badger Nation earlier today. Dekker eloquently states his decision and what his time at Wisconsin has meant to him.
“I really don’t know where to start. Most importantly, I just want to say thank you.
“These past three years have been the best, most memorable years of my life. Growing up in the state and being able to wear Wisconsin across my chest has been a dream come true.
“It has been a true honor to represent this University and the state of Wisconsin. I can’t say enough about how much all of your support has meant to me and my teammates. The privilege of playing in front of a sold out Kohl Center or looking around at the sea of red that filled Lucas Oil Stadium last weekend are things that most college basketball players never get to experience and I never took that for granted. Badger fans are the greatest in the world.
“After lots of thoughts and prayers, I decided that it is in my best interest to enter the NBA Draft at this time. It is difficult to leave Madison and the only state I’ve called home, but I’m excited for the next chapter of my life.”
Sam went on in his letter to again thank the fans, the University, and Badger Head Coach Bo Ryan, pledging to never forget where he came from no matter where the future takes him.
Sam Dekker finishes an astounding Badgers basketball season with an average of almost 14 points per game during the regular season and almost 20 points per game in the NCAA tournament. The six-foot-nine forward is probably wise to enter the NBA at this time, as his value and dominance of his position has been highlighted on a national level over the past few weeks during the NCAA tournament. An unnamed NBA executive told ESPN that Sam Dekker “was probably in the 20-25 range before the tournament, but now he’ll probably be a lottery pick.”
Though they’ll be sorry to see him go, Badger fans have amassed en force to wish Sam Dekker well in his NBA career.
Best of luck to you @dekker in the NBA. We all knew this day was coming, just wish it wasn’t so soon. Thanks for everything!
— Grateful Red (@UWGratefulRed) April 10, 2015
Not sure I have ever known anyone with a better combo of talent & a happy-go-lucky nature. All the best to @dekker -thank you & good luck!
— Matt Lepay (@MattLepay) April 10, 2015
We love you Sam #SamDekker #OnWisconsin
— Angie Benda (@ang_bend) April 10, 2015
No self-entitled presser. Just 5 paragraphs of gratitude & respect, & 2 sentences about draft. Why I’m proud to be a #Badger fan. #samdekker
— Jason Edge (@jasonedge) April 10, 2015
Sad to see #SamDekker leave @UWMadison but also excited to see someone from small Sheboygan Lutheran HS enter the #NBA best of luck.
— Brad RunningRealtor (@BradKoenig) April 10, 2015
Best of luck #SamDekker#GoBadgers
— Rob Hesslink (@robhesslink) April 10, 2015
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
