Former Badgers star Johnny Davis is hitting his stride in the NBA. After a rocky road at the beginning of the year, Davis has come on strong as the regular season draws to a close.
Here’s a look at Davis’ career thus far and his recent hot streak.
Former Badgers star Johnny Davis has a rocky start
Davis, who was selected tenth overall by the Washington Wizards, got out to a shaky start in his pro career. The Wisconsin native struggled to catch up to the NBA pace of play and was assigned to Washington’s G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go.
In the G League, Davis showed flashes of what he could be at the NBA level. Davis would appear in 18 games and averaged 12.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. The highlight of his G League stint was a 25-point showing where he also notched four rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Shortly after his career night, Davis returned to the NBA. Since his return, the former Badgers star is coming on strong for the Wizards.
Johnny Davis is starting to heat up
Davis has earned three starts in the past three games and has certainly impressed.
Against the New York Knicks, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound guard logged 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Davis hit six of his 11 shot attempts, including two three-point makes.
Davis impressed in his first career start, but his next two performances showed that he belonged at the NBA level.
The Wisconsin native earned his second career start against the Milwaukee Bucks. Johnny was remarkable against his home-state team, as he notched 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals. A poster dunk on Bucks guard Jrue Holiday highlighted his performance and cemented his name as an NBA-level guard.
Following that, Davis logged 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals against the Atlanta Hawks. He joined elite company after that performance, as he is the first rookie since Lamar Odom to record back-to-back games of 20+ points, 3+ assists, 2+ steals, and 2+ blocks.
After his string of excellent performances, Davis is starting to return to his UW form. He’s finishing around the rim with ease, beginning to find his midrange shot, and playing strong defense. If he keeps it up, he’ll likely be a mainstay in Washington’s second unit as he looks to climb to a starting role.
Davis is only getting started, and his improvements are a welcome sight for Washington and Wisconsin Badgers fans.
Nov 26, 2014; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan speaks with forward Sam Dekker (15) during the first half against the UAB Blazers at Atlantis Resort Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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.
Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) reacts in the second half of the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Former Wisconsin basketball forward Sam Dekker has made quite the name for himself overseas these past few seasons. On Tuesday, the British team announced that the current London Lions standout signed a multi-year contract extension with the club that will keep him with the team until 2026.
“Sam has been an integral piece to the organization, both on and off the court,” London Lions GM Brett Burman said in a statement. “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. We’re thrilled to have Sam, Olivia, and their family as long-term members of the club and the London community.”
Dekker put together a masterful season and is a contender for BBL Player of the Year after averaging 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game on an impressive 55.9% shooting from the field. Those numbers were good enough to land him on the All-EuroCup Second Team.
Sam Dekker’s Career With the Wisconsin Basketball Program
The 6-foot-9 forward played for the Wisconsin basketball program from 2013-15 and was named second-team All-Big Ten twice. Dekker, a Sheboygan native, and former five-star recruit, helped lead the 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.
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Frey-AMF Photos. Follow @amfphotos2020 on Instagram to see more.
Madison, Wisc. – The Wisconsin Badgers football team had three former players receive draft calls this year, with two players hearing their names called rather early.
Nine Wisconsin players entered their names into the draft, and after the seven rounds ended three of them were selected. The first two Badgers off the board landed in the second round with Joe Tippmann and Keeanu Benton finding their new homes. The third Badger, Nick Herbig, heard his name in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.
Wisconsin Badgers Football: Three Drafted Players Eager To Make An Impact
In some original draft rankings, the Wisconsin Badgers seemed to have three players primed to be selected on Day 2. Center Joe Tippmann led the recruiting boards, with many analysts projecting the lineman to go at the top of the second round. Tippmann, a former four-star recruit, spent two seasons as the Badgers starting center. During his time as a Badger, Tippmann played 1456 offensive snaps while only allowing one sack.
The talented center also allowed four quarterback hits and four hurries during that time as well. Tippmann is incredibly light on his feet for someone who weighs 313 pounds, which he has displayed throughout his collegiate career. Tippmann has excellent footwork and fights through his blocks especially against stronger opponents. The exceptional offensive lineman rarely finds players who are stronger than him, which serves as a major reason as to why the New York Jets selected Tippmann with the 43rd overall pick.
Steve Avila, the former TCU Horned Frogs starting lineman, was selected with the 36th overall selection. Avila has played center before, and potentially could play the position for the Los Angeles Chargers. However, Tippmann was the first listed center to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Both the New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and General Manager Joe Douglas praised the Wisconsin Badger as a future “…10 year NFL starter…” given his talent.
Pittsburgh Steelers Select Two Wisconsin Football Alumni
The Pittsburgh Steelers had one of the most successful draft classes this year as the staff filled many of the team’s needs. The Steelers traded up in the draft with the New England Patriots to select Georgia tackle Broderick Jones with the 14th overall pick. Later, with the first of two second-round draft picks the Steelers selected Penn State corner back Joey Porter Jr. before adding to their stout run defense. With the 49th overall selection, the Steelers added Wisconsin Badgers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton.
Benton, a former three-star recruit, started all four years of his collegiate career with the Wisconsin Badgers. In 45 games, Benton recorded 80 total tackles and nine sacks, along with 19 tackles for loss. Benton put together his best season as a Badger this past year, recording six sacks, 11 pressures, and 11 hurries. The talented defensive tackle has an incredible ability to stay on his feet and work past blockers. Benton also has the strength and power to throw blockers out of his way when rushing towards the backfield.
Steelers ‘Steal’ Linebacker Nick Herbig During Fourth-Round
As excited as the Pittsburgh Steelers were to have one Wisconsin Badger in Benton, they were more excited to land two Badgers. With the 132nd overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Nick Herbig. Herbig had been projected as a potential second-round selection, but eventually slid into the end of the fourth-round. Herbig, the former four-star recruit from Hawaii, started all three seasons he played for the Wisconsin Badgers.
During his time as a Badger, Herbig recorded 137 total tackles, 36 tackles for loss, and 21 sacks. Herbig also recorded four forced fumbles, two recoveries and seven pass defenses in three seasons. The linebacker is a physical, dominant force on defense and often finds his way to the quarterback. Herbig may have benefited from another season in Madison, however he will surely add to an already strong Pittsburgh defense.
The Wisconsin Badgers football team had a successful showing in the 2023 NFL Draft as the former Badgers look to make their mark at the next level.
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