Former Wisconsin Badgers star Sam Dekker, fresh off a new three-year contract extension with his club across the pond, earned an incredible honor on Friday morning. The face of the London Lions franchise was named the 2022-23 MoltenSports BBL Player of the Year (AKA the MVP).
The voting came from a compilation of BBL head coaches and captains from their respective teams.
Considered one of the highest-profile signings in recent league memory, Dekker averaged 17.1 points per game (6th in the league), 5.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in just under 25 minutes per game on an impressive 55.9% shooting from the field.
The 6-foot-9 forward also helped lead the Lions to a 32-4 record in league play en route to just the second regular season title in club history.
“Sam has been an integral piece to the organization, both on and off the court,” London Lions GM Brett Burman said in a statement regarding the former Wisconsin Badgers star. “He showed extreme efficiency this season as a versatile scoring wing, a guy who can get to his spots and dictate the flow of the game.”
Dekker has put together an impressive collection of achievements in his career but might need to start considering a larger trophy case.
- FIBA Europe Cup (2021/22)
- BBL Cup (2023)
- BBL Cup Final MVP (2023)
- All-EuroCup 2nd team (2022/23)
- BBL Championship (2022/23)
- BBL MVP (2022/23
Sam Dekker’s Career With the Wisconsin Badgers
Sam Dekker is one of the most decorated Wisconsin Badgers players in recent memory and for good reason.
The former five-star recruit from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, played for the Badgers from 2013-15 and was named second-team All-Big Ten twice.
More importantly, he, alongside Bo Ryan and Frank Kaminsky, helped lead the Wisconsin Badgers to back-to-back Final Fours and a national championship game appearance in 2015.
Dekker then declared for the NBA draft, where he was selected No. 18 overall by the Houston Rockets. During his NBA career, he played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, and Toronto Raptors.
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