Sam Dekker Hired as Assistant Coach at University of South Carolina
Former Wisconsin Badgers star and NBA veteran Sam Dekker has been appointed as an assistant coach for the University of South Carolina men's basketball team. Announced in May 2026, this role marks Dekker’s transition from an eleven-year professional playing career to coaching. He reunites with head coach Lamont Paris, his former assistant at Wisconsin, where they achieved back-to-back Final Four appearances. Dekker will focus on player development and recruiting, leveraging his extensive experience from the NBA and international leagues to help the Gamecocks compete in the SEC.
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Sam Dekker Joins South Carolina as Assistant Coach
South Carolina Men’s Basketball Head Coach Lamont Paris has officially announced the hiring of Sam Dekker as an assistant coach for the program. The announcement was made on Friday, May 15, 2026. Dekker brings significant professional experience to the collegiate level, having completed an 11-year career in professional basketball. His tenure included playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as well as competing in various overseas leagues. This move marks Dekker's transition from a long-standing professional playing career into a coaching role within the NCAA framework. The hiring aims to leverage Dekker's extensive knowledge of the game and his professional background to aid in the development of the South Carolina Gamecocks' roster. The information was originally reported by HoopsHype and cited by WACH.com, highlighting the significance of adding a former NBA talent to the coaching staff of a major college basketball program.
yahoo sportsFormer Wisconsin Star Sam Dekker Joins South Carolina Basketball Coaching Staff
Former University of Wisconsin basketball star Sam Dekker has been hired as an assistant coach for the South Carolina men's basketball program. The announcement marks Dekker's return to the United States after an eleven-year professional career that included stints in the NBA and various international leagues. Head coach Lamont Paris stated that Dekker will primarily focus on player development, citing his unique experiences and winning mindset as valuable assets to the team. Dekker, who helped lead Wisconsin to the Final Four in 2014 and the national title game in 2015, expressed enthusiasm about rejoining the college game and working with Paris, whom he previously played under during his collegiate years. He emphasized his commitment to helping players succeed both on and off the court while aiming for deep runs in the NCAA tournament. This hiring strengthens the coaching staff of the SEC program as they prepare for upcoming seasons, leveraging Dekker's extensive background in high-level competitive basketball.
yahoo sportsFormer Wisconsin Star Sam Dekker Hired as Assistant Coach at South Carolina
Former University of Wisconsin basketball star Sam Dekker has been appointed as an assistant coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team. The announcement was made by head coach Lamont Paris, marking Dekker's transition from an 11-year professional playing career, which included time overseas and being drafted by the Houston Rockets, to coaching. Dekker expressed excitement about returning to the college game and reuniting with Paris, under whom he played during two Final Four runs while at Wisconsin. Paris, who served as an assistant coach at Wisconsin from 2010 to 2017, praised Dekker's winning mentality and unique experiences, stating they would immediately benefit the program. This hire strengthens the existing staff, which already includes another Wisconsin native, Tanner Bronson. Dekker emphasized his goal to help players succeed both on and off the court and to compete for championships in the SEC. The move highlights the continuing professional relationship between Dekker and Paris, bridging their past success at Wisconsin with future ambitions at South Carolina.
yahoo sportsSam Dekker Appointed Assistant Coach at South Carolina
Former University of Wisconsin star and NBA first-round pick Sam Dekker has been named an assistant coach for the University of South Carolina men's basketball team, the program announced on May 15, 2026. This role marks Dekker's transition from an eleven-year professional playing career, which included recent seasons in Spain, to coaching. The hiring reunites Dekker with head coach Lamont Paris, who served as an assistant at Wisconsin during Dekker's collegiate tenure, where they reached back-to-back Final Fours. Paris praised Dekker's unique experiences and potential impact on player development, while Dekker expressed excitement about returning to the SEC and contributing to the program's success. The article highlights Dekker's familial coaching background, noting his father was a longtime high school coach. Analysts suggest Dekker's presence could significantly boost South Carolina's recruiting efforts in Wisconsin, a state that has recently produced high-level NBA talent. Despite injury-plagued later years in his playing career, Dekker is viewed as a valuable resource for player development and strategic insight within the Gamecocks' staff.
yahoo sportsSam Dekker Hired as Assistant Coach at University of South Carolina
Former Wisconsin Badgers star Sam Dekker has been appointed as an assistant coach for the University of South Carolina men's basketball team. He joins the staff under head coach Lamont Paris, a former Wisconsin assistant with whom Dekker reached back-to-back Final Fours during his college career. This move marks Dekker's transition from professional basketball to coaching after an 11-year playing career that included stints in the NBA and overseas leagues in Russia, Turkey, England, and Spain. Dekker recently concluded his playing days in Spain, where he earned league MVP honors with the London Lions in 2023. Head coach Lamont Paris praised Dekker's winning mentality and unique skill set, emphasizing his potential impact on player development within the SEC program. Dekker expressed enthusiasm about returning to the collegiate level, citing his desire to compete at a high level and help players succeed both on and off the court. The hiring reunites the duo who previously achieved significant success together at Wisconsin, including a national runner-up finish in 2015.
yahoo sportsSam Dekker Hired as Assistant Coach at University of South Carolina
Former Wisconsin Badgers star Sam Dekker has been appointed as an assistant coach for the University of South Carolina men's basketball team. He joins the staff under head coach Lamont Paris, a former Wisconsin assistant who coached alongside Dekker during the Badgers' back-to-back Final Four runs. This move marks Dekker's transition from professional basketball to coaching after an 11-year career that included stints in the NBA and overseas leagues in Russia, Turkey, England, and Spain. Dekker recently concluded his playing days in Spain, where he earned league MVP honors with the London Lions in 2023. Head coach Lamont Paris praised Dekker's winning mentality and unique skill set, emphasizing his potential impact on player development within the SEC program. Dekker expressed enthusiasm about returning to the collegiate level, citing his shared history with Paris and his goal to help the Gamecocks achieve success in March tournaments. The hiring reunites the duo who previously experienced significant NCAA tournament success together at Wisconsin.
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