By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Recovering from a premature ending to his stint with the San Antonio Spurs to getting a new contract with the Utah Jazz, Luka Samanic is determined to prove his worth in the NBA.
Samanic, 23, will ink a contract for the next season with the Jazz, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The new deal includes guarantees and options for the 2023-24 season, as noted.
The Croatian forward was picked up by the Jazz in late March. Since signing a ten-day contract, he logged five games played, including starts in the last two outings with the team coached by Will Hardy. Averaging 7.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per contest make out the solid introduction.
Before declaring for the 2019 NBA draft and being selected with the 19th overall pick by the Spurs, the Zagreb-born forward played for the reserve team of FC Barcelona and jumped into the Basketball Champions League as a member of Petrol Olimpija in the 2018-19 season. However, the following run in San Antonio was cut short. He was ultimately waived before the start of the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season.
“Second chances don’t come quickly or easily,” said Samanic in a recent interview with Deseret News commenting on resurfacing in the NBA following G League spells with the Westchester Knicks in 2021-22 and the Maine Celtics earlier in the 2022-23 season.
The Croatian upstart was determined to earn another opportunity in the NBA instead of possibly returning to Europe. The Jazz in rebuilding mode seems like a great opportunity for Samanic to establish himself in the league.
Photo Credit: Getty Images