With a rollercoaster year on the basketball court coming to a close, it didn’t take long after the final buzzer sounded Wednesday for former University of Wisconsin men’s basketball star Sam Dekker to appreciate how important it was to finish on a high note.
After helping lead Bahcesehir College to the 2021-22 FIBA Europe Cup in Istanbul, Turkey, Dekker shared an emotional message on social media, admitting that he was in a “really dark place professionally” after being waived by the NBA’s Toronto Raptors in November.
Keep Going…. Embrace the positives because in this business sometimes those are hard to find. pic.twitter.com/UkxpZ7IDgv
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) April 27, 2022
“I’ve had a lot of doubts over the last six, seven years; like a lot,” Dekker said in the video, “and also a lot of huge, amazing things to be grateful for, but being able to end this year, that didn’t start off great, on a high note is something to be really thankful for.”
Dekker contributed 12 points, five rebounds and an assist in 22 minutes as Bahcesehir College defeated Unahotels Reggio Emilia 90-74 in the second leg to claim the trophy with an aggregate score of 162-143.
Dekker played one game in the NBA this season, logging just one minute for the Raptors after returning to the league following two seasons overseas.
The Sheboygan native was drafted 18th overall in the 2015 NBA draft after three successful seasons at UW. He earned 2013 Big Ten All-Freshman team honors before being named to the All Big-Ten second team in both 2014 and 2015.
Photos: Look back at Wisconsin Badgers’ victory over Kentucky Wildcats in 2015 NCAA Final Four
Wisconsin cheerleaders perform during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky celebrates after an NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker reacts during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin’s Traevon Jackson, left, and Kentucky’s Tyler Ulis battle for a loose ball during the first half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
University of Wisconsin fan Brenda Johnson, of Hudson, Wis., cheers as she finds out Wisconsin defeated Kentucky in the NCAA college basketball tournament as she attends the Arizona Coyotes and San Jose Sharks NHL hockey game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Sharks 5-3. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky (44) drives to the basket between Kentucky’s Willie Cauley-Stein (15) and Trey Lyles (41) during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/Chris Steppig, Pool)
Kentucky’s Aaron Harrison (2) reacts to a call during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Wisconsin Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes (10) drives against Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns (12) during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker, left, reacts during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Kentucky’s Devin Booker shoots against Wisconsin’s Bronson Koenig, top, and Josh Gasser during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin players celebrate after an NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin players celebrate during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan watches from the bench during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes reacts during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns shoots against Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin players celebrate after an NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin players celebrate after an NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Wisconsin players rect on the bench during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker (15) shoots over Kentucky’s Willie Cauley-Stein (15) during the first half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Kentucky’s Dakari Johnson (44) shoots over Wisconsin’s Zak Showalter (3) during the first half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Chris Steppig, Pool)
Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky (44) blocks a shot by Kentucky’s Willie Cauley-Stein during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns (12) grabs a rebound over Wisconsin’s Bronson Koenig, right, during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Kentucky’s Aaron Harrison goes up for a shot against Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin players celebrate after the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky (44) dunks the ball during the first half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker reacts after making a three-point basket during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Kentucky fans react after the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Wisconsin Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker shoots against Kentucky defense during the first half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Chris Steppig, Pool)
Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes (10) drives past Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky (44) looks to shoot against Kentucky’s Devin Booker (1) during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky’s Trey Lyles (41) shoots against Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker (15) during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker, left, celebrates with teammate Josh Gasser, right, after an NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky (44) shoots over Kentucky’s Willie Cauley-Stein (15) during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky celebrates on the court after an NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Kentucky head coach John Calipari reacts to a call during the second half of the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game against Wisconsin Saturday, April 4, 2015, in Indianapolis. Wisconsin won 71-64. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)