Lamont Paris, the head coach of the University of South Carolina’s men’s basketball program, has added Sam Dekker to his coaching staff as an assistant.
Paris and Dekker share a history that stretches back to their time at Wisconsin, where the coach first recruited the forward and the player became a cornerstone of the team’s success.
A Shared Wisconsin Legacy
During his three seasons with the Badgers, Dekker emerged as a prolific scorer, culminating in a senior year that saw him net a career‑high 27 points in the Elite Eight victory over Arizona. He also contributed 16 points in a stunning upset of undefeated Kentucky in the national semifinals, helping Wisconsin reach back‑to‑back Final Fours.
After being selected 18th overall by the Houston Rockets in 2015, Dekker spent the next six years navigating the NBA, followed by professional stints in Turkey, London and Spain, accumulating experience that he now hopes to translate into mentorship for South Carolina’s roster.
In a statement, Dekker expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting the significance of shifting from player to coach and emphasizing his desire to help develop the next generation of talent.
Paris highlighted Dekker’s unique blend of high‑level playing experience and deep program knowledge as a key asset for player development, stating that the hire aligns with the team’s broader objectives.
Strategic Additions to the Coaching Staff
The university also announced that David Duquette, an executive with the Charlotte Hornets, will serve as a consultant to the Gamecocks’ front office, bringing additional NBA expertise to the program’s administrative side.