San Antonio Spurs: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks
8. Luka Samanic
This is the tier where the sample size is just a little too small. In Luka Samanic‘s case, the sample size is one game.
The Croatian power forward was drafted by the Spurs with the 19th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Unlike many of the team’s other international selections, Samanic didn’t linger in Europe after his selection. He quickly signed with the team and received his Austin Spurs assignment at the beginning of the current season.
Samanic has had a solid season in the G League. He has played in 33 games and started all but one of them, averaging 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while shooting 30.7 percent from 3-point range.
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His play earned him a brief cup of coffee with the NBA club. Samanic played for 12 minutes in a 19-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets on March 6. He took four shots – including two from 3-point range – but failed to score in his debut. He did, however, dish three assists and pulled down two rebounds.
Despite not getting many opportunities this season, Samanic’s play in the G-League suggests he should have a real future in the NBA. He should move his way up this list in the coming years.