Samardo Samuels

Samuels attended Our Savior New American School in Centereach, New York as a freshman, then attended Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey for the rest of high school.{{cite web | url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/features/growingup_samuels_110204.html | title=Growing up ... Samardo Samuels | website=NBA.com }} Samuels was ranked 9th in the nation by Rivals.com[http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewrank.asp Rivals.com Prospect Rankings] and 2nd in the nation by Scout.com.[http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=4&pid=88&yr=2008 Scout.com: Football Recruiting] He, alongside class of 2010 star Tristan Thompson led St. Benedicts's Prep to a 24–1 record in the 2007–2008 season. At season's end St. Benedict's was ranked #2 in the nation by USA Today.{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/basketball/poll/2007-super25.htm | work=USA Today | title=Super 25: Lincoln (N.Y.) climbs three spots with state title | first=Jim | last=Halley | date=2008-05-02 | accessdate=2010-05-23}} He played in the two top all-American games, the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.

Samuels decided to attend the University of Louisville for college. He chose the Cardinals over Connecticut, Florida, Georgetown and North Carolina. At Louisville, Samuels started every game that he played in and led the 2009–10 team in scoring and rebounding. After his sophomore year, he decided to skip his final two years of college eligibility and enter the 2010 NBA draft.

After going undrafted in the 2010 NBA draft, Samuels played for the Chicago Bulls in the 2010 NBA Summer League,{{cite news|title=NBA Summer League Rosters - Vegas|url=http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2010/6/28/1540775/nba-summer-league-rosters-vegas|accessdate=July 22, 2015|work=Ridiculousupside.com|date=June 28, 2010}} averaging 12.6 points and 7.4 rebounds. On August 17, 2010, Samuels signed a 3-year, $2.3 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. A portion of the deal was guaranteed.[http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100816/SPORTS02/308160109/ Ex-Louisville forward Samardo Samuels signs with Cavaliers]

He debuted against the Toronto Raptors, on October 29, and scored 7 points. On December 27, 2010, he was sent to the Erie BayHawks, the Cavs' affiliate in the NBA Development League.{{cite news|title=Samardo Samuels Assigned to Erie BayHawks|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/samuels_101227.html|accessdate=July 22, 2015|work=NBA.com|date=December 27, 2010}} On January 1, after two games in the NBA D-League, he was recalled by the Cavs.

On March 2, 2011, Samuels made his first career start against the San Antonio Spurs in place of the injured Antawn Jamison and scored a career high 23 points while pulling down 10 rebounds.[https://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/4304/samardo-samuels Samardo Samuels Game-by-Game Stats]

On December 28, 2012, Samuels was assigned to the Canton Charge of the D-League.[http://www.nba.com/dleague/cleveland_cavaliers_assign_sam_2012_12_28.html Cleveland Cavaliers Assign Samardo Samuels to NBA D-League Affiliate Canton Charge] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231153202/http://www.nba.com/dleague/cleveland_cavaliers_assign_sam_2012_12_28.html |date=2012-12-31 }} He was recalled on December 31, 2012.[http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=11883 Cavs recall Samardo Samuels from D-League] On January 6, 2013, he was waived by the Cavaliers.[http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/samuels-waived-130106 Cavaliers Waive Samuels]

Following the waiving by the Cavaliers, he was acquired by the D-League's Reno Bighorns on January 17, 2013.[http://www.nba.com/dleague/dleague/transactions.html 2012–13 Transactions]

On April 7, 2013, Samuels signed with the Israeli club Hapoel Jerusalem for the rest of the 2012–13 season.{{cite web|title=Hapoel Jerusalem officially signs Samardo Samuels to a 2-month deal|url=http://www.sportando.net/eng/europe/israel/53748/hapoel-jerusalem-officially-signs-samardo-samuels-to-a-2-month-deal.html|publisher=Sportando.net|accessdate=25 July 2013}}

On July 25, 2013, he signed a two-year deal with the Italian club Emporio Armani Milano.{{cite web|title=Olimpia Milano officially sign Samardo Samuels|url=http://www.sportando.net/eng/italy/serie-a/60197/olimpia-milano-officially-sign-samardo-samuels.html|publisher=Sportando.net|accessdate=25 July 2013}} In his first Euroleague season with Milano, he averaged 9.5 points and 3.9 rebounds over 25 games. In his second season with Milano, he elevated his game and averaged 12.9 points and 5.4 rebounds over 23 Euroleague games. In the summer of 2015, he parted ways with Olimpia Milano.{{cite news|title=Samardo Samuels won't come back to Milano|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/italy/serie-a/167374/samardo-samuels-won-t-come-back-to-milano.html|accessdate=15 March 2018|work=sportando.basketball|date=6 July 2015}}

On July 22, 2015, Samuels signed a two-year deal with the Spanish club FC Barcelona Lassa.{{cite news|title=FC Barcelona lands big man Samuels|url=http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/67uo6nxaykqmbugj|accessdate=July 22, 2015|work=Euroleague.net|date=July 22, 2015}} On September 11, 2015, Barcelona announced that Samuels has suffered right hand injury and will miss about 6 weeks of action.{{cite news|title=Samardo Samuels out 6 weeks for a fracture of the metatarsus|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/spain/175589/samardo-samuels-out-6-weeks-for-a-fracture-of-the-metatarsus.html|accessdate=11 September 2015|work=sportando.com|date=11 September 2015}} In his third consecutive Euroleague season, his role in the new team decreased, and he had averages of 6 points and 2.8 rebounds over 26 games. On August 16, 2016, he parted ways with Barcelona.[http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/spain/209587/samardo-samuels-barcelona-lassa-part-ways.html Samardo Samuels, Barcelona Lassa part ways]

On August 17, 2016, Samuels signed with the Chinese Basketball Association club Jiangsu Dragons for the 2016–17 CBA season.[http://www.sportando.com/en/world/asia/209700/samardo-samuels-officially-signs-with-jiangsu-dragons.html Samardo Samuels officially signs with Jiangsu Dragons]

On March 17, 2017, he signed with the Italian club Enel Brindisi for the rest of the 2016–17 LBA season.[http://www.sportando.com/en/italy/serie-a/229210/samardo-samuels-official-signs-with-new-basket-brindisi.html Samardo Samuels official signs with New Basket Brindisi]

On August 18, 2017, Samuels signed with the Spanish club Real Betis Energía Plus.[http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/spain/244548/samardo-samuels-signs-with-real-betis-energia-plus.html Samardo Samuels signs with Real Betis Energia Plus] On September 21, 2017, he parted ways with Real Betis Energía Plus before appearing in a game for them.{{cite news|title=Samardo Samuels, Real Betis Energia Plus officially part ways|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/spain/acb/247572/samardo-samuels-real-betis-energia-plus-officially-part-ways.html|accessdate=21 September 2017|work=Sportando|date=21 September 2017}}

On October 16, 2017, Samuels signed with the Serbian club Partizan for the rest of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|title=Samardo Semjuels je novi igrač Partizana|url=http://kkpartizan.rs/sr/vest/2142/samardo-semjuels-je-novi-igrac-partizanawork=partizan.rs|accessdate=October 16, 2017|work=kkpartizan.rs|date=October 16, 2017|language=Serbian}} He was suspended by the club on November 15, for the violation of club's discipline and the provisions of the contract, day after Partizan lost in a EuroCup game against Alba Berlin.{{cite news|title=Semjuels u "svađi" sa formom, Nikolićem, grobarima|url=https://www.b92.net/sport/kosarka/vesti.php?yyyy=2017&mm=11&dd=15&nav_id=1325568|accessdate=16 November 2017|work=b92.net|agency=Tanjug|date=15 November 2017|language=Serbian}}{{cite news|title=Partizan suspendovao Semjuelsa|url=http://www.b92.net/sport/kosarka/vesti.php?yyyy=2017&mm=11&dd=15&nav_id=1325896|accessdate=16 November 2017|work=b92.net|date=15 November 2017|language=Serbian}} The suspension came as a result of his public criticism of the club, head coach Miroslav Nikolić and other inappropriate remarks toward female journalists. Shortly after, he parted ways with the club.{{cite news|title=Samardo Samuels, KK Partizan parting ways|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/europe/serbia/254442/samardo-samuels-kk-partizan-parting-ways.html|accessdate=15 March 2018|work=sportando.basketball|date=18 November 2017}}

On February 14, 2018, Samuels signed with the French club Limoges CSP for the rest of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|title=Samardo Samuels au Limoges CSP !|url=https://www.limogescsp.com/news/20180214055919-samardo-samuels-au-limoges-csp|work=limogescsp.com|accessdate=February 14, 2018|date=February 14, 2018|language=French}} After averaging 11 points and 4 rebounds per game, he re-signed with the club on August 20, 2018.{{cite web |title=Limoges CSP re-signs Samardo Samuels |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/france/pro-a/286062/limoges-csp-re-signs-samardo-samuels.html |website=Sportando |accessdate=August 20, 2018}} In October 2018, Samuels was suspended after speaking harshly towards his coach and during a match which resulted him in being sidelined for the rest of the game.{{cite web |title=Limoges suspended Samardo Samuels - Eurohoops |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurocup/747472/limoges-suspended-samardo-samuels/ |website=www.eurohoops.net |access-date=11 March 2025}}

On February 16, 2020, Samuels signed with Chorale Roanne Basket.{{cite news |title=Chorale Roanne ink Samardo Samuels |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/chorale-roanne-ink-samardo-samuels/ |website=Sportando |accessdate=February 16, 2020 |date=February 16, 2020|last1=Skerletic |first1=Dario }}

In December 2020, Samuels signed with Maccabi Hod HaSharon.{{cite news |title=Former NBA center Samardo Samuels agrees to deal with Maccabi Hod Hasharon |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/former-nba-center-samardo-samuels-agrees-to-deal-with-maccabi-hod-hasharon/?dev |website=Sportando |date=11 December 2020 |access-date=10 August 2021|last1=Borghesan |first1=Ennio Terrasi }} He played 17 games in the Liga Leumit, the second national tier, and averaged 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. On April 18, 2021, he has signed with Hapoel Haifa of the Israel Basketball Premier League.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/samardo-samuels-joins-hapoel-haifa/|title=Samardo Samuels joins Hapoel Haifa|last=|first=|date=April 18, 2021|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=April 19, 2021|last1=Skerletic |first1=Dario }}

On August 10, 2021, Samuels signed a one-year contract with Dutch club ZZ Leiden of the BNXT League.{{cite news |title=ZZ Leiden {{!}} ZZ Leiden contracteert Samardo Samuels |url=https://www.eredivisiebasketballleiden.nl/actueel/nieuws/bericht/zz-leiden-contracteert-samardo-samuels |access-date=10 August 2021 |work=www.eredivisiebasketballleiden.nl |language=nl}} On August 30, 2021, he parted away with his club without playing a single game.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/zz-leiden-samardo-samuels-parts-ways/|title=ZZ Leiden, Samardo Samuels parts ways|last=|first=|date=August 30, 2021|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 30, 2021|last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }} Reason was that the work permit procedure took too long.{{cite web |title=Samardo Samuels sluit niet aan bij ZZ Leiden |url=https://www.dutchbasketballleague.nl/nieuws/samardo-samuels-sluit-niet-aan-bij-zz-leiden/ |website=Basketball League |access-date=3 September 2021 |language=nl}} Samuels subsequently joined Libertadores de Querétaro of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional.{{cite news |title=Former NBA Samardo Samuels signs in Mexico with Libertadores de Queretaro |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/former-nba-samardo-samuels-signs-in-mexico-with-libertadores-de-queretaro/ |website=Sportando |access-date=August 30, 2021 |date=August 30, 2021|last1=Borghesan |first1=Ennio Terrasi }}

In March 2025, Samuels was arrested in Milan, Italy.{{cite web |title=Samardo Samuels reportedly arrested after police intervention in Milan |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1795785/samardo-samuels-arrested-milan-euroleague-nba/ |website=Eurohoops |access-date=11 March 2025 |language=en |date=10 March 2025}}

{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| align="left" | {{nbay|2010}}

| align="left" | Cleveland

| 37 || 10 || 18.9 || .456 || .000 || .618 || 4.3 || .5 || .4 || .5 || 7.8

|-

| align="left" | {{nbay|2011}}

| align="left" | Cleveland

| 54 || 0 || 15.3 || .455 || .000 || .701 || 3.3 || .4 || .4 || .4 || 5.4

|-

| align="left" | {{nbay|2012}}

| align="left" | Cleveland

| 18 || 1 || 10.9 || .367 || .000 || .583 || 1.6 || .4 || .2 || .2 || 3.2

|- class="sortbottom"

| align="left" | Career

| align="left" |

| 109 || 11 || 15.8 || .445 || .000 || .653 || 3.4 || .4 || .3 || .4 || 5.9

{{s-end}}

• Points: 23 vs. San Antonio 03/02/11
• Rebounds: 10 3 times
• Assists: 3 vs. San Antonio 03/02/11
• Steals: 3 @ L.A. Clippers 03/19/11
• Blocks: 3 vs. New Orleans 03/06/11

{{Euroleague player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2013–14

| style="text-align:left;"| Milano

| 25 || 23 || 22.2 || .503 || .444 || .730 || 3.9 || .2 || .4 || .3 || 9.5 || 8.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15

| style="text-align:left;"| Milano

| 23 || 21 || 26.1 || .548 || .233 || .692 || 5.4 || .7 || .4 || .5 || 12.9 || 14.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16

| style="text-align:left;"| Barcelona

| 26 || 4 || 13.2 || .505 || .000 || .632 || 2.8 || .5 || .2 || .4 || 6.0 || 6.8

|- class="sortbottom"

| align="center" colspan="2"| Career

| 74 || 48 || 24.1 || .522 || .250 || .685 || 4.0 || .5 || .3 || .4 || 9.3 || 9.7

{{S-end}}

• Points: 36 vs. Nizhny Novgorod 26 February 2015
• Rebounds: 12 vs. Anadolu Efes 21 March 2014
• Assists: 3 vs. Turów Zgorzelec 13 November 2014
• Steals: 4 vs. Laboral Kutxa 13 March 2014
• Blocks: 4 vs. Stelmet Zielona Góra 23 October 2015

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{basketballstats|bbr=s/samuesa01}}
• [http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Samardo-Samuels-1111/ Samardo Samuels] at draftexpress.com
• [http://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Samardo_Samuels/79046 Samardo Samuels] at eurobasket.com
• [http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=005269 Samardo Samuels] at euroleague.net
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150811092737/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/gamecent/p/pid/6049912/playerview.html Samardo Samuels] at fiba.com
• {{instagram|warrior024}}

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{{Olimpia Milano 2013-14 Lega Basket Serie A Champions}}

{{USA Today National Basketball Player of the Year}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuels, Samardo}}

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