Sam Dekker lands assistant coaching job at NCAA Division I program

Former Wisconsin Badgers basketball star Sam Dekker, a Sheboygan native and leader during the team's national runner-up run in 2015, has landed an assistant coach gig with former UW assistant Lamont Paris at South Carolina.

Paris has been at the helm the past four seasons in South Carolina, including a 13-19 season last year. The Gamecocks have made one NCAA Tournament since Paris arrived from Chattanooga, where he led the Mocs to an 87-72 mark and reached the NCAA Tournament in 2022. Before that, Paris was on staff with the Badgers when the program went to back-to-back Final Fours.

“Development of each player’s individual abilities is as important now as it has ever been in college basketball,” Paris said in a South Carolina release. “Sam’s unique experiences and skill set will allow him to have a tremendous impact on our players and program immediately. He is a winner through and through, and I am thrilled to add him to our staff as an assistant coach."

Beyond thrilled, beyond motivated. Let’s go Gamecocks!!!! https://t.co/RIrTWC9wUk— Sam Dekker (@dekker) May 15, 2026

Dekker, the standout at Sheboygan Area Lutheran who played three seasons for the Badgers, was taken 18th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. His career included stints in Russia, Turkey, England and Spain, including for a London Lions team that won the league championship in 2023, with Dekker averaging 17.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game en route to the league MVP award. He finished his pro career this season in Spain.

"The decision to transition from player to coach is not one I took lightly, but joining coach Paris and this program was a dream opportunity," Dekker said in the school release. "I am thrilled to return to the college game and compete at such a high level in the SEC. My 11 years as a pro have provided so many experiences with amazing players, coaches and styles. Some of my best memories as a player were competing in two Final Fours with coach Paris, and I look forward to doing that with him again. My goal is to win in March and give our players the best opportunity for success on and off the court.”

Dekker hit one of the biggest shots of the season in the national semifinal against undefeated Kentucky in 2015, allowing UW to secure a landmark win and a spot in the title game against Duke.

He was twice named second-team all-Big Ten during his days with the Badgers and led his high school to a memorable state championship his senior year.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sam Dekker joins coaching staff at University of South Carolina