Samardo Samuels signs for Cleveland Cavaliers - Aug 17, 2010 (by Eurobasket News)
The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed, in principle, to sign former Louisville power forward Samardo Samuels (6'9''-F-89) to a multi-million year deal, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst on Thursday.
Though terms weren't available, Windhorst tweeted that, 'the deal has partial guarantee in the first year, which means Samuels is likely to make the team' [read more]
The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed, in principle, to sign former Louisville power forward Samardo Samuels (6'9''-F-89) to a multi-million year deal, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst on Thursday.
Though terms weren't available, Windhorst tweeted that, 'the deal has partial guarantee in the first year, which means Samuels is likely to make the team'.
The Cavs are in a state of rebuilding and were searching for a guy to add to the team that was young and had potential at the big spot, and they got one in Samuels.
Windhorst added that Cleveland liked the player from before draft, but didn't have a pick.
Samuels left University in his sophomore year and was widely criticised for entering the draft, and eventually went undrafted, but the 6-foot-8 rookie, who played with the Chicago Bulls in the just concluded Las Vegas Summer League, averaged 12.6 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 57 per cent from the field in five games.
The 21-year-old, who averaged 15.3 points and 7.0 rebounds while at Louisville last season, looked good in three of his five Summer League games -- the three that he started.
However, his best performance came against number five draft pick, DeMarcus Cousins, and the Sacramento Kings.
Samuels shot 6-of-8 from the field to score 17 points and grab seven boards in 27 minutes of action while being defended by Cousins.
While, at the other end of the floor, the most polished big man in the draft could only counter with a disappointing 10 points on 3-of-15 shooting.
Meanwhile, Samuels' agent David Bauman said that this was the best deal for Samuels, both financially and in terms of potential playing time.
And according to the player, 'it's a sense of joy and relief knowing that I'm going to get an opportunity'.
He admitted that a lot of things were said about him leaving Louisville and that he will still have to prove himself.
'But I'm going to show Cleveland Cavalier I'm a hard worker,' he declared.
Bauman said Samuels chose Cleveland's offer over four other teams, including Chicago, which, like Cleveland, did not have any picks in last month's draft.
He revealed that Bulls general manager Gar Forman wanted to wait before making a formal offer, but the Cavaliers made a strong push to secure his signature.
Cleveland have undergone major changes as they begin the post-LeBron James era, and they have a new coach in Byron Scott, who is more of an up-tempo offensive coach than his predecessor, the defensive-minded Mike Brown.
So Samuels, it figures, will see time as a back-up power forward.
Samuels said that the criticism that he should have stayed in school or he would wind up playing overseas doesn't matter now.
'Because at the end of the day, it's my future. I have to do what's best for me and my family. And I think I have what it takes to play in the pros and be successful. So every day that's what I am going to prove,' he said.
Samuels now becomes the fourth local-based basketballer to ever be selected by an NBA team, following in the footsteps of Wayne Sappleton (Golden State Warriors), Andrew Kennedy (Philadelphia 76'ers), and Jerome Jordan (New York Knicks).
He is also the second student/athlete discovered at the annual NIKE/KFC Star Search Basketball and Life Skills Development Camp to land in the NBA along with Jordan.
Courtesy of www.jamaicaobserver.com
Interview with Akeem Scott, Team Jamaica - Aug 3, 2010 (by Eurobasket)
Before the Centrobasket Tournament, you mentioned that you weren't going to be scoring much in your role with Team Jamaica. Fast forward to the CAC Games and you're second on the team in scoring. Did the coaching staff adjust their strategy or did that happen more informally?
You know I came into this summer with a point guard mentality, pass first pass second, and if that don't work pull out my Scoring Game from my Pumpa backpack!! My team was in trouble [read more]
Before the Centrobasket Tournament, you mentioned that you weren't going to be scoring much in your role with Team Jamaica. Fast forward to the CAC Games and you're second on the team in scoring. Did the coaching staff adjust their strategy or did that happen more informally?
You know I came into this summer with a point guard mentality, pass first pass second, and if that don't work pull out my Scoring Game from my Pumpa backpack!! My team was in trouble. We didn't have a full roster and players got hurt. There was only one option left, play the PG position with the intentions to score!
Has playing for a national team felt any different from playing for a professional team? What have you learned in your first run with Team Jamaica?
Playing with the national team is very different than with a professional team. On the NT there are 12 of your country's best players trying to represent their nation as best as possible. It made me love basketball a little more than I did!! I've learn with my Jamaican NT no task is too big no matter who get hurt sick or just can't show up.
Is Team Jamaica done for the summer? When do you start transitioning back to the professional side?
Yes, Team Jamaica is done for the summer, 4-4 overall without any of our NBA PLAYERS, I would say that's not bad! And now its time for me to start talking to my agent Paul Kevin and see what Euro team I can help to a CHAMPIONSHIP.
Any other thoughts? Last but not least I just want to thank everybody who supported team JAMROCK in both Centro Basket and C.A.C games. To all National Teams Players out there it was good battling you guys and I wish the best for yal this upcoming season. P.S just stay out my WAY! LOL 2008 MVP and Finnish national Champ said so! Hahaaaa. God bless guys and keep working hard.
Interview of Akeem Scott (186-G-83, college: High Point) was made by made by Seth Johnston
Jamaica beats Panama for fifth place in Mayaguez - Jul 31, 2010 (by Eurobasket News)
CAC Games, Fifth place: PANAMA - JAMAICA 64-83
Jamaica closed this event with two straight wins. It means that Jamaicans ended as No.5 in Mayaguez, despite poor 0-2 in Preliminary Round. On the other side, Panama ended as the sixth ranked team. They registered just one win at this event. Andre Smith (188-G-80, college: NC-Asheville) was on fire for Jamaica with 28 points. He reached valuation 27 and was the MVP of this meeting [read more]
CAC Games, Fifth place: PANAMA - JAMAICA 64-83
Jamaica closed this event with two straight wins. It means that Jamaicans ended as No.5 in Mayaguez, despite poor 0-2 in Preliminary Round. On the other side, Panama ended as the sixth ranked team. They registered just one win at this event. Andre Smith (188-G-80, college: NC-Asheville) was on fire for Jamaica with 28 points. He reached valuation 27 and was the MVP of this meeting. Garfield Johns (193-G-85, college: Utah) had 19 and Terrell Christie (193-G-83, college: S.Alabama) added 11 pts. In Panama, Josimar Ayarza (203-F-87) shined with 26 points and 6 boards. Desmond Smith (199-F-86, college: William & Mary) had 14 points and 6 rebs, while Ernesto Oglivie (199-F-89, agency: DR. Carlos Sifuentes) added 10 pts and 5 rebs. Second and third quarter were the crucial ones in this game. Before that, first ten minutes ended with 17-17 tie. Andre Smith and his teammates exploded for rest of the first half making 30-38 lead. They continued in the same rhythm after that and Panama was in deep trouble. Jamaicans drained 26 points in third quarter, while limiting their rivals to 16. It means that Jamaica was huge 18-points up was looking good. Last ten minutes were just the formality and Jamaica celebrated nice 64-83 for fifth place in Mayaguez.
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