Luka Samanic, 6-10, Forward, Croatia, 2000
Strengths
-Excellent physical profile for a perimeter four man at 6' 10” with a great frame, an 8' 10.5.” standing reach and tremendous fluidity.
-Moves like a wing. Super light on his feet. Can get out and fill the lanes in transition. Finishes above the rim with ease in space off of one foot.
-Budding offensive skill set (20.0 points and 2.1 made threes per 40) that starts out on the perimeter. Although his mechanics could use some work he has soft touch out to 3-point range. Very good in trail situations. Gets great rotation. Can make a rhythm pull up as well.
-Excellent at attacking in a straight line going either right or left. Good body control. Can pick and pop to space and put it down going to the rim. Uses basic right to left crossovers or through the legs dribbles from the perimeter.
-Not a back to the basket player but has solid footwork and can make a right-handed jump hook. Will mix in an occasional quick spin.
-Knows how to play. Will force up tough shots at times but has a good feel and plays with patience more often than not. Has vision from the post and perimeter – 3.1 assists per 40 minutes.
-Doesn't project as a defensive anchor but he has strong tools and instincts defensively. Understands positioning. Above average reach, quick leaping ability and strong timing allows him to protect the rim at a decent rate – 3.2 blocks per 40 minutes.
- Light enough on his feet to step out and guard the perimeter. Covers ground quickly on closeouts. Blocks jumpers regularly. Should be able to be an asset switching ball screens in time.
-Good instincts on the defensive glass when he's fully motivated. Quick to the ball with soft hands. 9.5 defensive rebounds per 40 minutes.
-Has considerable upside given his age, tools, budding skill set and feel for the game.
Weaknesses
-Good reach but doesn't have elite length with a 6' 10” wingspan. Plays above the rim in space off of one foot but isn't quite as explosive off of two feet, especially from a standstill.
-Toughness and motor tend to come and go. Aggressive for stretches but will go through the motions from time to time. Doesn't always run the floor hard. Can pursue defensive rebounds more consistently.
-Allows paint touches without putting up much of a fight. Not the most naturally physical player. A little light in the rear. Can improve his ability to play through contact on both ends of the floor.
-Fundamentals guarding the perimeter have room to improve. Doesn't always recover with high hands out of pick and roll. Gets lost chasing shooters around screens. Can be a bit upright when defending on the ball. Somewhat foul prone at this stage.
-Budding offensive skill set but his shooting mechanics could use some fine-tuning – 33.3% from three. Forward lean into his jumper with an inconsistent landing spot. Has great touch but becoming more mechanically sound should improve his consistency.
-Good ball handler for his size but isn't quite polished enough to be a wing at this stage. Handle is a bit high and loose. Not quite comfortable enough to play with his head up when attempting to use advanced moves from the perimeter. Not going to create space and get into a jumper off the dribble while contested (although he can make rhythm pull ups with time and space).
-Nice feel overall but will turn right into help defenders when operating out of the post. Can be stronger with the ball versus double teams.
-Has a lot of natural talent and physical ability but is still putting it all together and turning it into consistent and efficient production – 43.8% from two.
Outlook
The 6' 10” Croatian forward was arguably the best long-term prospect at the U16 Euros given his blend of physical tools, offensive skills, and defensive instincts. The next few years will be crucial for Samanic's development as becoming more physical on both ends and refining his offensive skill set will play a big role in how he's able to maximize his impressive potential. Samanic is a unique and intriguing prospect whose overall profile suggest that he could very well develop into an eventual high draft pick who could have a positive impact at the NBA level for quite some time.
-Excellent physical profile for a perimeter four man at 6' 10” with a great frame, an 8' 10.5.” standing reach and tremendous fluidity.
-Moves like a wing. Super light on his feet. Can get out and fill the lanes in transition. Finishes above the rim with ease in space off of one foot.
-Budding offensive skill set (20.0 points and 2.1 made threes per 40) that starts out on the perimeter. Although his mechanics could use some work he has soft touch out to 3-point range. Very good in trail situations. Gets great rotation. Can make a rhythm pull up as well.
-Excellent at attacking in a straight line going either right or left. Good body control. Can pick and pop to space and put it down going to the rim. Uses basic right to left crossovers or through the legs dribbles from the perimeter.
-Not a back to the basket player but has solid footwork and can make a right-handed jump hook. Will mix in an occasional quick spin.
-Knows how to play. Will force up tough shots at times but has a good feel and plays with patience more often than not. Has vision from the post and perimeter – 3.1 assists per 40 minutes.
-Doesn't project as a defensive anchor but he has strong tools and instincts defensively. Understands positioning. Above average reach, quick leaping ability and strong timing allows him to protect the rim at a decent rate – 3.2 blocks per 40 minutes.
- Light enough on his feet to step out and guard the perimeter. Covers ground quickly on closeouts. Blocks jumpers regularly. Should be able to be an asset switching ball screens in time.
-Good instincts on the defensive glass when he's fully motivated. Quick to the ball with soft hands. 9.5 defensive rebounds per 40 minutes.
-Has considerable upside given his age, tools, budding skill set and feel for the game.
Weaknesses
-Good reach but doesn't have elite length with a 6' 10” wingspan. Plays above the rim in space off of one foot but isn't quite as explosive off of two feet, especially from a standstill.
-Toughness and motor tend to come and go. Aggressive for stretches but will go through the motions from time to time. Doesn't always run the floor hard. Can pursue defensive rebounds more consistently.
-Allows paint touches without putting up much of a fight. Not the most naturally physical player. A little light in the rear. Can improve his ability to play through contact on both ends of the floor.
-Fundamentals guarding the perimeter have room to improve. Doesn't always recover with high hands out of pick and roll. Gets lost chasing shooters around screens. Can be a bit upright when defending on the ball. Somewhat foul prone at this stage.
-Budding offensive skill set but his shooting mechanics could use some fine-tuning – 33.3% from three. Forward lean into his jumper with an inconsistent landing spot. Has great touch but becoming more mechanically sound should improve his consistency.
-Good ball handler for his size but isn't quite polished enough to be a wing at this stage. Handle is a bit high and loose. Not quite comfortable enough to play with his head up when attempting to use advanced moves from the perimeter. Not going to create space and get into a jumper off the dribble while contested (although he can make rhythm pull ups with time and space).
-Nice feel overall but will turn right into help defenders when operating out of the post. Can be stronger with the ball versus double teams.
-Has a lot of natural talent and physical ability but is still putting it all together and turning it into consistent and efficient production – 43.8% from two.
Outlook
The 6' 10” Croatian forward was arguably the best long-term prospect at the U16 Euros given his blend of physical tools, offensive skills, and defensive instincts. The next few years will be crucial for Samanic's development as becoming more physical on both ends and refining his offensive skill set will play a big role in how he's able to maximize his impressive potential. Samanic is a unique and intriguing prospect whose overall profile suggest that he could very well develop into an eventual high draft pick who could have a positive impact at the NBA level for quite some time.
Strengths
-Excellent physical profile for 16-year-old combo forward at 6' 10” with an excellent frame that is mature, yet still has room to grow
-Super fluid athlete who is very quick off of his feet. Doesn't need much time and space to play above the rim.
-Doesn't need plays ran for him to have an impact offensively. Loves to crash the offensive glass – 4.5 O-Boards per 40. Moves really well off the ball. Puts himself in position to have an impact.
-Best as a straight-line slasher. Good timing attacking closeouts. Gets low to the ground. Can put it down going right or left.
-Solid finisher around the rim thanks to his ability to handle contact and rise up in traffic. Can punish smaller wings on the block. Has a right-handed jump hook in his arsenal.
-Although not overly long he has the tools to defend multiple positions. Can sit down on the perimeter or use his frame well enough on the interior to get by. Good instincts in the passing lanes. Light on his feet. Likes to rebound.
-Can be a bit turnover prone but seems to have a pretty good feel for his strengths and weaknesses. Plays within the flow of the offense.
-Very professional in his approach. Plays with toughness.
Weaknesses
-Doesn't have great length with a 6-10 wingspan
-Really struggles to make shots with consistency – 1-of-21 on jumpers at the U16s. Hasn't made any strides since we last saw him at the Jordan Brand Classic. Stiff, mechanical stroke without much fluidity throughout his body. Has a long ways to go with his feet set. Not a threat to make shots off the dribble. Really lacks confidence in his jumper.
-Limited to mostly straight line drives. Doesn't change speeds or directions. Without a jumper or ball skills, how will he score consistently against better competition?
-Has some feel but isn't all that talented as a passer. Will barrel into help side defenders at times. 5.1 turnovers per 40 minutes.
-Checks a lot of boxes but isn't exactly great in one area.
Outlook
Jankovic, who's currently in the Cibona Zagreb youth system, certainly has some flaws but there's a lot to like about his blend of physical tools, toughness, and versatility on both ends. He can play either forward spot on both ends and is a jump shot away from being considered a very intriguing NBA prospect. At the very least, the Croatian 16-year-old forward has excellent role player potential and is most definitely a name worth tracking as his skill level develops, wherever that may be.
-Excellent physical profile for 16-year-old combo forward at 6' 10” with an excellent frame that is mature, yet still has room to grow
-Super fluid athlete who is very quick off of his feet. Doesn't need much time and space to play above the rim.
-Doesn't need plays ran for him to have an impact offensively. Loves to crash the offensive glass – 4.5 O-Boards per 40. Moves really well off the ball. Puts himself in position to have an impact.
-Best as a straight-line slasher. Good timing attacking closeouts. Gets low to the ground. Can put it down going right or left.
-Solid finisher around the rim thanks to his ability to handle contact and rise up in traffic. Can punish smaller wings on the block. Has a right-handed jump hook in his arsenal.
-Although not overly long he has the tools to defend multiple positions. Can sit down on the perimeter or use his frame well enough on the interior to get by. Good instincts in the passing lanes. Light on his feet. Likes to rebound.
-Can be a bit turnover prone but seems to have a pretty good feel for his strengths and weaknesses. Plays within the flow of the offense.
-Very professional in his approach. Plays with toughness.
Weaknesses
-Doesn't have great length with a 6-10 wingspan
-Really struggles to make shots with consistency – 1-of-21 on jumpers at the U16s. Hasn't made any strides since we last saw him at the Jordan Brand Classic. Stiff, mechanical stroke without much fluidity throughout his body. Has a long ways to go with his feet set. Not a threat to make shots off the dribble. Really lacks confidence in his jumper.
-Limited to mostly straight line drives. Doesn't change speeds or directions. Without a jumper or ball skills, how will he score consistently against better competition?
-Has some feel but isn't all that talented as a passer. Will barrel into help side defenders at times. 5.1 turnovers per 40 minutes.
-Checks a lot of boxes but isn't exactly great in one area.
Outlook
Jankovic, who's currently in the Cibona Zagreb youth system, certainly has some flaws but there's a lot to like about his blend of physical tools, toughness, and versatility on both ends. He can play either forward spot on both ends and is a jump shot away from being considered a very intriguing NBA prospect. At the very least, the Croatian 16-year-old forward has excellent role player potential and is most definitely a name worth tracking as his skill level develops, wherever that may be.
