Rockets pick Sam Dekker on fellow Badger JJ Watt

NEW YORK (KTRK) -- With the 18th pick in the NBA draft, the Houston Rockets have selected small forward Sam Dekker from the University of Wisconsin

Dekker has the potential to fit in nicely with the Rockets. He's a 6'9" forward who can knock down the three and put the ball on the floor.

Rockets assistant coach Chris Finch says Dekker's game is similar to Chandler Parsons'. He also stated Dekker fits in nicely with the Rockets nucleus.

"We feel with the freedom we give our players here and his ability to shoot, and play with more freedom on offense than he had in college," Finch told Eyewitness Sports Reporter David Nuno. "One thing we see that his game excelled when they got up and down. His game excelled, too, in the half court."

Dekker, a junior, averaged 13.9 points per game last season, shooting 53 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range.

We talked to Dekker shortly after the Rockets made him their top pick Thursday. He says he loves the idea of playing with the Rocket, mentioning the pace of their play and how he'll have plenty of room to shoot.

On moving to Houston, Dekker -- who's never lived outside of Wisconsin -- said he'll try to check in with fellow Badger and Houstonian JJ Watt on buying a home.

Most remember Dekker in this years NCAA tournament, where he helped Wisconsin reach the championship game.