The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Jamaican forever, says US-based basketballer

Richard Morais, Star Writer

Basketball player Samardo Samuels. - Richard Morais

WESTERN BUREAU

Jamaican basketballer Samardo Samuels, who is currently creating waves in the United States, has once again confirmed that despite many tempting offers to switch allegiance to that country, he has no intention of turning his back on Jamaica.

The six-foot nine inches, 19-year-old Samuels, who hails from Johnson Hill, near Salt Marsh in Trelawny, stated his views during a courtesy call at The Gleaner's Western Bureau on Monday.

Put jamaica on the map

"I could join a bunch of superstars and play on the American team but why not take Jamaica and put them on the map," said Samuels. "I want to play for Jamaica's national team, that's one of my objectives. I want Jamaica to compete at the Olympic level."

Samuels, arguably the hottest prospect on the junior circuit in the United States, was accompanied on his visit to the Western Bureau by his parents, Jacqueline and Roan Samuels.

The Muschette High School graduate recently completed his US high school education at St Benedict's in New Jersey and will be moving to the highly rated Louisville University in September. He is now ranked in the top five non-professional players in the United States.

Despite his patriotism, Samuels was nonetheless very proud of what he has achieved as a basketball player since making the trek from Jamaica to North America four years ago.

Consistency

"It goes without saying that I am a better player for having gone to the US," said Samuels. "When I just went over to the US some of the things I did were by chance... . But now I do these things consistently, I have benefited a lot at St Benedict by learning many of the fundamentals."

In addition to what he is hoping will be an exciting career at Louisville University, Samuels will be majoring in business. According to him, education is very important as it prepares one for life after basketball.

He noted that basketball will not be forever and noted that, even if he is successful, he wants to manage his resources well.

In looking ahead to life at Louisville, Samuels was full of praise for its basketball culture. "Even a practice session is full of spectators," he said.

This fully focused sportsman said that while his aim is to play in the NBA, he is not rushing it and is basically honing his skills for when the right time comes.

He said there are strict regulations in terms of being paid and currently he is still an amateur. He admits to getting lucrative offers but according to him, he is looking at the bigger picture and not the offers being made at present.

Parental values

Part of his motivation is not to get caught up in the 'bling culture' but to hold on to values his parents taught him.

"Whatever I do, I always think, am I making my parents proud? At the end of the day family is all you got, sometimes if things go bad, people will draw away from you but your family will remain," he said.

Samuels said that even at this stage, young people are already looking up to him, both here and abroad and as a consequence, he has to live a life befitting a role model.

"Any chance I get, I tell young people to work hard and not get into any antisocial behaviour so that they can achieve. "

He will be in the island for a few days, "chilling out," he said.