Samardo
Samuels, who hails from the home of Usain Bolt
in Trelawny, Jamaica, has entered this year's NBA Draft.
Samuels is a former MacDonald's All American, USA
Today's Number One high School player and a Nike
Top-Five with the likes of Brandon Jennings
(Milwaukee Bucks), Tyreke Evans (Sacramento
Kings), Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers), and
Greg Munroe who plays for the University of
Georgetown. Samuels and Greg are the last two of that
batch who will now make their way to the NBA. Munroe is
an expected top-10 pick. Samuels was also a KFC Star
search Camp standout from the KFC/ISSA High school
leagues in Jamaica before going to the US.
Samuels took Louisville to number one ranking as a
freshman and Final Four and an NCAA Berth in his
sophomore year though this season's team may have lacked
overall talent to have taken them further. He also
carried Jamaica's national team, coached by Sam
Vincent (former Charlotte Bobcats coach) to the
Caribbean Championships in 2009 on their quest to get
the Olympics for 2012.
He is a projected mid-first to mid-second round pick. He
has already shed 10lbs and is down to 250lbs, increasing
his lateral speed and vertical quickness off the ground.
Samuels has stated: "I am looking forward to showing
GMs across the NBA my total repertoire of skills as a
power forward and passion for the game."
Said Sam Vincent: "I enjoyed coaching Samardo
last summer. I was impressed with his talent and his
abilities to play the four and score effectively away
from the basket. I am confident that due to his work
ethic and love for the game that he will excel at the
NBA level."
Team Jamaica plays in the Centro Basket Tournament this
summer July 7-11, in Domonica Republic, which was
sponsored by KFC and Flow last year.