Regional Final Weekend Recap of Top NBA Draft Prospects

5.) Sam Dekker-F, Junior; Wisconsin. 25.0 ppg, 18-26 FGM-A, 7.5 rpg, 8-9 3-PT FGM-A in 2 games. 

Mar 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) celebrates the 85-78 victory against Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the finals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

While Frank Kaminsky is the face of this season’s Wisconsin Final Four team, Sam Dekker is the main reason the Badgers are heading to Indianapolis. The junior forward turned in a weekend for the ages, capped by one of the most staggering scoring displays in recent memory against one of the best defensive teams in the country. Sam Dekker is very much in the conversation as a first round draft pick and, if he can do anything close to what he did against Arizona to Kentucky, he will remain that way.

Dekker is by no means a ‘flash in the pan’ type player who happened to catch fire for a weekend while everyone was watching. Though not a consistent 20-point scorer for the Badgers, Dekker did average just under 14 points a game this season as the team’s secondary scoring option behind Kaminsky. Dekker also pulled in 5.5 rebounds per game, maximizing his 6’9″, 229-pound frame.

What may end up benefiting Dekker most at the next level is his versatility and presence on the court. A natural inclination for the game paired with three years of Bo Ryan coaching have made Dekker, along with the rest of his Badgers teammates, a lethal offensive presence. Wisconsin and their inside-out front line attack capitalizes on mismatches and Dekker is just as much an issue for defenders as Kaminsky is. Especially when his shot is falling from the perimeter, there may only be a handful of perimeter scorers in the draft class with more NBA potential than Dekker.

Another factor to be taken into account when it comes to scouting Dekker is the ‘clutch’ aspect of his game. Much like Winslow, Dekker has hit some big shots for the Badgers and does not appear phased one bit by the biggest stage. This following clip from the Arizona game should shed JUST A BIT of light on that notion.

As mentioned on the broadcast, Dekker hit a game-winning three-point shot to capture a Wisconsin State title his senior season. More impressive video.

I remember watching Butler’s Gordon Hayward lead the Bulldogs to within a three-point prayer of the upset of the century in the 2010 National Title game. Hayward might be the last college player who, offensively, seems a step ahead of its opposition as often as Dekker has over the course of the tournament. Wisconsin’s offense does cater itself toward freeing up shooters to do what they do, but Dekker is at a different level right now. Even more beneficial to him is the fact that he is putting up 20+ points against defensive juggernauts like Arizona.

By the time that all of the pre-draft scouting is over and done with, Dekker may end up projecting more favorably than him teammate Frank Kaminsky. Where there are serious red flags in Kaminsky’s game (defense, physicality), Dekker’s profile seems a bit more solid. He has NBA size, versatility, intangibles, and a flair for the dramatic. The NCAA Tournament has glorified countless individuals who caught fire for a few weeks, only to fizzle out at the next level. Dekker does not fall into the category, if you’re asking me. Dekker is more NBA-ready than Nik Stauskas and has a higher ceiling than Doug McDermott. Here’s to hoping he has at least one more gem left in him before calling it a career at Wisconsin.