As the Houston Rockets took on the Milwaukee Bucks Monday night, Sam Dekker waited patiently on the bench for his professional debut in his home state.

It never happened, but fans from across the state showed up in droves to show their support.

     "I knew it right away as soon as I saw it on the schedule, I knew 'Sammy D' was coming back to this area," said Sheboygan native Tyson Gutschow. "We wanted to make sure we were here."

Throughout the Bradley Center, dozens of fans could be seen wearing Dekker jerseys, both from his college days at Wisconsin, and his current #7 with the Rockets. His parents Todd and Carol sat court-side for the game.

     "I'm a little nervous," says Carol before tip-off. "Hopefully he'll get in, there's no guarantees." 

To make things even more interesting, Dekker's high school alma mater was scheduled to sing the national anthem and dance before tonight's game. Hundreds of students from Sheboygan Lutheran hopped on buses and made the trek to Milwaukee for the game.

     "Everyone kind of figured that he'd be here, and it's really exciting that he'll be back," said Caitlyn Kaiser

     "I think just him being there and seeing all of us down there to support him will be cool for him," said Logan Jones.