UW recruit Dekker wins gold with Team USA

UW recruit Dekker wins gold with Team USA

Published Jun. 21, 2012 11:24 a.m. ET

Sam Dekker added a gold medal to his impressive basketball resume on Wednesday night.

Dekker, an incoming University of Wisconsin men's basketball recruit, scored seven points to help the United States defeat Brazil, 81-56, in the championship game of the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 tournament. Team USA averaged 97.2 points while going undefeated in five contests and won by an average of 38.6 points per game.

Brazil, which served as hosts for the tournament, crept to within 54-40 in the third quarter, but Dekker hit a 3-pointer in the final minute and added a baseline drive early in the fourth quarter. His baskets helped Team USA build its lead back to 20 points and cruise to victory. Dekker played 14 minutes and made 3 of 8 field goal attempts.

Dekker battled a toe injury at the tournament and sat out the first game. But he played the final four contests and averaged five points and two rebounds in 11 minutes of action.

For Dekker, the gold medal added to his list of basketball accomplishments in the past few months. Dekker scored 40 points to lead Sheboygan Area Lutheran High School to a WIAA Division 5 state title against Racine Lutheran in March. Dekker drilled a 3-pointer from the right corner for a 67-66 victory in the championship game.

Dekker also earned Mr. Basketball in the state of Wisconsin after averaging 35.2 points per game during his senior season. He is expected on the University of Wisconsin campus in the next week to begin summer school and team workouts with the Badgers.


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