Sam Dekker has his next basketball job and it’ll be a little different than before.
Dekker, the former Sheboygan Lutheran and Wisconsin star, will be an assistant coach for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks men’s basketball team the program announced on X on May 15.
We got better today… let’s get to work, coach! 💼🤙@dekker#Gamecocks🐔🏀 // #ForeverToTheepic.twitter.com/oDIJARW2we
— South Carolina Men’s Basketball (@GamecockMBB) May 15, 2026
A winner through and through. 🗣️ #Gamecocks🐔🏀 // #ForeverToTheepic.twitter.com/ZJ3UQveKmD
— South Carolina Men’s Basketball (@GamecockMBB) May 15, 2026
Dekker has always seemed destined to be a coach, spending time on social media breaking down the intricacies of sports and especially basketball.
It also runs in his family as his father, Todd Dekker, was a longtime coach for Sheboygan Lutheran and was Dekker’s coach with the Crusaders.
The decision to get into coaching comes after Dekker spent the last two seasons playing professionally in Spain although he didn’t see much action this past season due to varying reasons including injuries.
Had Dekker not suffered several injuries after being a first round NBA Draft pick of the Houston Rockets, Dekker might have had a career similar to other Wisconsin high school legends such as Tyler Herro or Tyrese Haliburton.
The situation at South Carolina should be ideal as Gamecocks coach Lamont Paris was an assistant at Wisconsin under Bo Ryan during Dekker’s time in Madison.
“Development of each players individual abilities is as important now as it ever has been in college basketball,” the South Carolina X post said. “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. I know he can’t wait to get to work, and neither can I.”
Added Dekker on the same post:
“I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of Gamecock Basketball,” the post said. “I’m so grateful to Coach Paris for trusting me in this role, and I take it very seriously. 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. 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.”
While his role at South Carolina isn’t fully known I have to venture that the Gamecocks will likely be better at recruiting the state of Wisconsin with him on the staff.
Wisconsin has had an uptick in high-level players at the high school level, including Herro, Haliburton and Kon Knueppel who recently was a finalist for NBA rookie of the year after starring at Duke.
Dekker has coaching in his blood and no matter what role he has there’s no doubt he will be an amazing coach and resource for the players at South Carolina.
He’s dealt with the highs of playing in back-to-back Final Fours but also the impact injuries have and the lessons learned.
Dekker has also played everything from the NBA to Russia, Turkey, England and Spain so he’ll have an ability to relate to international players as well on a personal and basketball level.
There’s no telling where the future will lead Dekker but now that his playing days are seemingly behind him there was no easier or smarter transition than moving from the court to the sidelines.
He even summed it up best in a post on X.
Beyond thrilled, beyond motivated. Let’s go Gamecocks!!!! https://t.co/RIrTWC9wUk
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) May 15, 2026
“Beyond thrilled, beyond motivated. Let’s go Gamecocks!!!!,” Dekker posted.
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sam Dekker’s playing days are over, taking NCAA coaching job
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