Poughkeepsie's Sam Peek gets a step closer to NBA dream, debuting for G League team

Sam Peek knows well how unlikely it is for a former Division III athlete even to sniff the professional sports level, let alone get within a long step of the NBA. It seems a far-fetched fantasy for most.

A kid from Dutchess County, no less.

The understanding of how incredible his journey has been, even to this point, is why there’s such an appreciation of the position he is in now.

“It’s so new to me that it almost feels unreal,” Peek said of playing for the Wisconsin Herd. “I’ve gotten so much support and congratulations in the last couple days from past teammates and coaches, people I’ve only hooped with a couple times. But what’s amazing is I’ve gotten messages from some kids back home like, ‘You’re showing us that it’s possible.’”

Because what long has been a longshot dream now is within eyeshot after the Poughkeepsie native was signed this week by the Milwaukee Bucks’ G League affiliate.

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When his college career concluded last spring, Peek dedicated himself to the pursuit of a career in professional basketball, trying out for several franchises and considering options overseas. But his lucky break came this week as the 6-foot-7 guard found his way onto the Herd roster.

Peek made his debut a day after joining the team, contributing nine points and four rebounds in 22 minutes in a loss to the Windy City Bulls on Tuesday night. He shot 3 for 6 from the field, including a 3-pointer.

“A lot of coaches didn’t want to take a chance on a ‘D3’ guy,” the 24-year-old said. “But I never stopped believing that I was good enough to at least compete, and the people around me thought so, too. I kept believing that I’d get an opportunity.”

Opportunity knocked Sunday ― rather, the door reopened a month after the Herd had released him following an extended tryout. A series of roster changes created an opening and Peek was offered a chance to join them.

The G League is comparable to the minor leagues in that a collection of teams affiliated with NBA franchises seek to develop young talent before a potential promotion. The NBA still, of course, is a monumental leap from this level, but a player making it onto a roster there is an indication of the organization's belief in their ability.

“I'm coming on as the 13th player on the roster,” Peek said of the Oshkosh-based team. “But two of the players here have two-way contracts (with the Bucks), so if they get called up, there’ll be an opportunity for other guys in the rotation.”

He now is teammates with Elijah Hughes, a Beacon native who was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2020 and is attempting to make it back to the NBA. Hughes started and had seven points, five assists and four rebounds in the game Tuesday.

“I have videos of us playing against each other in second and third grade, so it’s incredible that we’re both here now,” Peek said of himself and Hughes, who’ve been offseason workout partners in recent years. “I know Elijah put in a good word for me with Milwaukee and helped me get here, which was big of him, especially considering we play the same position. I appreciate him more than he knows.”

Peek comes from a basketball-centric family. His younger brother, Hayden, plays for NYU and his sister Kate is a sophomore on the Fairfield women’s basketball team. Their quasi-adopted brother, Majur Majak, is a 7-foot-1 center who played for the University of New Haven and also has professional aspirations.

Sam Peek starred locally at Spackenkill High School and then Trinity-Pawling. He went on to Division III Wesleyan where, he said, his game improved significantly under the tutelage of coach Joe Reilly. Peek flourished there and earned All-America honors, precipitating a transfer last fall to Stetson University for his final year of college eligibility.

There was a significant adjustment to the size and athleticism of his opponents at the Division I level, and Peek admits there were “ups and downs” there. But he did showcase his talents as a wing capable of scoring on drives and cuts, mid-range jumpers and perimeter shots.

“No matter who I stepped on the court with,” he said, “I trusted in the work I’d put in to prepare.”

Believing in himself, and remaining dogged in pursuit of that dream, Peek trained diligently last spring and hired an agent who got him summer tryouts with teams including the Celtics and Lakers. None of those opportunities panned out, but he got encouraging feedback from team officials who suggested the G League might be a feasible route.

Peek worked out this fall for affiliates of the Pistons, Knicks and Pelicans, and auditioned for the Herd in late October. He was their final cut in the open tryout period, but coaches told him he would be in consideration if the roster changed.

He had traveled to Florida and planned to spend time there, but a Sunday morning text message changed all that. The Herd general manager reached out with an offer and Peek was on a flight to Wisconsin that afternoon.

“I didn’t even have winter clothes,” he said with a chuckle. “I flew to Milwaukee as soon as possible, stopped at a mall there for clothes and hit the road. Monday, we had a practice, and Tuesday was gameday.”

G League teams play a 50-game schedule that includes frequent travel. That’s something he’ll have to get used to, along with the level of competition and the fluidity of the roster.

“I’ll have to be ready for the challenges, mentally and physically,” he said. “I’m grateful to be where I am, and I know how much has gone into just getting to this point. It’s not an opportunity I’ll ever take for granted. I’m gonna do everything I can to take advantage of it.”

Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Poughkeepsie's Sam Peek makes G League debut, chasing NBA dream