Croatian teenager Luka Šamanić joins the NBA
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Luka Šamanić (Photo: FIBA)
21 June 2019 – Croatia has another basketball player in the NBA after the 2019 NBA Draft took place on Thursday.
The San Antonio Spurs selected 19-year-old forward Luka Šamanić with the No. 19 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
A native of Zagreb, Šamanić started his career with Croatian club Zagreb. In 2016, he moved to FC Barcelona in Spain, where he joined the reserve team in the Spanish second-tier league. Šamanić played last year with Union Olimpija where he averaged 48% FG and 33% from three.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) June 21, 2019
Šamanić has represented Croatia multiple times in FIBA events, leading his team to a gold medal at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B in 2017, while earning most valuable player honours.
His father Marko was a professional basketball player who played around Europe, including in Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, and Belgium.
Spurs Nation, @SamanicLuka has a message for you! 🔊⬆️#GoSpursGo | #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/ebpSGad8M8
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) June 21, 2019
Zion Williamson, rated as one of the most exciting prospects to enter the NBA since LeBron James, was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the No. 1 overall pick. The Memphis Grizzlies picked up Ja Morant with the No. 2 pick, whilst the New York Knicks took RJ Barrett with the No. 3 pick.
