By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Lokomotiv Kuban announced the addition of former NBA forward Sam Dekker. The 25-year-old player signed a one-year contract to play overseas for the first time in his career and compete with Lokomotiv in both EuroCup and the VTB League.
“I’m very glad to join Lokomotiv Kuban and move to Krasnodar. I look forward to meeting my teammates, coaching staff and the amazing Loko fans. We have a very serious team this year and I’m lucky to be a part of it. I’m confident that a successful season is waiting for our team and I am ready to take the next step in my career,” Dekker said per Lokomotiv Kuban.
Dekker spent the first three seasons of his career in the NBA, playing for the Houston Rockets, L.A. Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards. The 18th overall pick of the 2015 Draft averaged 6.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 47 games during 2018-2019.
Dekker becomes the latest NBA player to move to Europe for the 2019-2020 season after such names as Quincy Acy (to Maccabi Tel Aviv), Wesley Johnson (to Panathinaikos Athens), Greg Monroe (to Bayern Munich), Shelvin Mack (to Olimpia Milano), Kostas Koufos (to CSKA Moscow) and returnees Nikola Mirotic, Alex Abrines (both to Barcelona), plus Timofey Mozgov (to Khimki Moscow) among others.