Former San Antonio Spurs NBA 1st-Round Pick Signs With Team In Turkey

Luka Šamanić has signed with a new team.

Jan 3, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Luka Samanic (19) shoots in the second half against the Utah Jazz at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports / Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Samanic coming off a year where he appeared in 43 games (seven starts) for the Utah Jazz.

He averaged 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 38.0% from the field and 20.3% from the three-point range.

On Monday, Samanic signed with Fenerbahçe Beko (h/t Alberto De Roa of HoopsHype).

Via BasketNews: "Former 19th NBA pick Luka Samanic officially joined Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul ✍️"

Former 19th NBA pick Luka Samanic officially joined Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul ✍️ pic.twitter.com/W9LB2m57wL

— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) August 5, 2024

Samanic was the 19th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs.

He spent the first two years of his career with San Antonio.

Via Anıl S. Uysal of Sports Digitale (translated to English): "The transfer of Luka Samanic was a move that coach Jasikevicius really wanted. Samanic was a player Popovich invested in in his career, where he made a name for himself with great potential. He stood out with his ability to hit the ball and attack, especially as a forward/long man."

Luka Samanic transferi, koç Jasikevicius’un gerçekten istediği bir hamle oldu. Samanic, çok büyük potansiyel olarak isim yaptığı kariyerinde Popovich’in yatırım yaptığı bir oyuncuydu. Özellikle bir forvet/uzun olarak topu yere vurma ve hücum meziyetleri ile öne çıkıyordu.

— Anıl S. Uysal (@anilevicius) August 5, 2024

Samanic has played part of four seasons for the Spurs and Jazz.

His career averages are 4.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 41.1% from the field and 24.7% from the three-point range in 86 games.

Apr 11, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Luka Samanic (19) posts up against Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (7) during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Samanic has also spent a lot of time in the G League.

His career averages are 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest while shooting 45.8% from the field and 31.4% from the three-point range in 67 regular season games (66 starts).

30 PTS ☘️ 11 REB ☘️ 12/18 FG

Luka Samanic dropped a game-high in scoring and in rebounding to lead the @MaineCeltics to a win over the Nets and a 3-0 start to the season! pic.twitter.com/ZKXO0zWmrj

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) November 13, 2022

As for the Jazz, they finished the year as the 12th seed in the Western Conference with a 31-51 record.