Sam Dekker, a cornerstone of Wisconsin basketball, was officially welcomed into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame this week as part of the Class of 2026.
His tenure with the Badgers from 2012 to 2015 left an indelible mark, highlighted by two Final Four appearances and a place among the program’s all‑time leading scorers.
A standout at Sheboygan High School, Dekker earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors and entered Madison with high expectations, though his freshman year saw limited starts.
A Journey Defined by Milestones
By his sophomore season he had broken into the starting lineup, earned Second Team All‑Big Ten recognition and helped the Badgers navigate a deep tournament run that included a national semifinal.
The following year he delivered a career‑high 27 points in the Elite Eight victory over Arizona, was named the West Region’s Most Outstanding Player, and capped the run with 16 points against Kentucky in the championship game before declaring for the 2015 NBA Draft.
Dekker will be joined in the Hall by fellow Badgers greats such as Frank Kaminsky, Michael Finley, Bo Ryan, Alando Tucker and Ab Nicholas, cementing a legacy that still resonates through the program.