Luka Samanic

Luka Šamanić is a highly distinguished Croatian basketball player, currently part of the Utah Jazz team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on 9th January 2000 in Zagreb, Croatia, he was drafted as the 19th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2019 NBA Draft. Coming from a background steeped in sports, his career has been filled with various twists and turns, beginning with a youth career in his hometown of Zagreb and subsequently taking him to Spain and the United States.

Endowed with innately coveted basketball talents, Zagreb-born Šamanić began his career with the Zagreb basketball club at the youth level. This athletic journey commenced at the tender age of 16 when he moved to Barcelona, Spain in 2016 to join FC Barcelona’s reserve team in the Spanish second-tier league. Meanwhile, the young athlete also represented Croatia in several FIBA events. His impeccable contributions led the Croatian team to victory in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B in 2017. His impressive performance in the tournament also garnered him the most valuable player (MVP) title.

During his formative years, Šamanić was introduced to various sports disciplines such as football, handball, and tennis, to name a few. He ventured into basketball as the final sport when he was 11 years old, correlating his innate football skills to his ever-evolving basketball coordination. This last sport to his portfolio turned out to be his first love, setting his long, star-studded basketball career on course.

One cannot overlook the influence of Šamanić’s father, Marko Šamanić, on his athletic pursuits. A professional basketball player for a whopping 19 years, Marko’s career had him representing the EuroLeague, primarily with the esteemed Slovenian club Krka. Consequently, the young Šamanić was exposed to a variety of geographic influences with a cosmopolitan upbringing across Belgium, Slovenia, and Germany, courtesy of his father’s career.

Under the wing of Zagreb, Luka Šamanić launched his basketball journey. He exhibited an inspiring performance during his tenure there. His stellar performances saw him earning the MVP at a youth tournament in Italy in 2016 after guiding Zagreb to victory against a stellar Virtus Roma team. His outstanding performance earned Šamanić the title of MVP of the Croatian cadet championship.

Joining Barcelona’s junior team, Šamanić continued showcasing his enormous skills. He stood out in the Ciutat de L’Hospitalet qualifiers for the 2016–17 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, despite being a year younger than most of his competitors. This earned him the Rising Star Trophy at the final tournament. His promising performance caught the attention of many NCAA Division I programs, including Florida, Gonzaga, Purdue, and Stanford.

In 2017, Šamanić went professional and played in the second-tier Spanish league, LEB Oro, for FC Barcelona Bàsquet B. His debut in October 2017 saw a convincing win over Força Lleida. Despite limited minutes, Šamanić exhibited tremendous potential throughout the season, highlighted by an impressive show against Palencia.

It was not long before Šamanić signed a multifaceted professional contract with Petrol Olimpija of the Slovenian League and ABA League in May 2018. His tenure with Olimpija was marked by a notable performance in the 85–73 win over Šenčur, recording 22 points and 11 rebounds.

In April 2019, Šamanić declared his entry into the much-anticipated 2019 NBA Draft, joining a record-high 58 international prospects. The San Antonio Spurs showed their belief in his potential by making him the 19th pick of the draft. His first assignment with the Spurs’ affiliate team in the NBA G League saw him don the Austin Spurs jersey. He made his first NBA game start in August 2020 against the Utah Jazz, recording 16 points and 6 rebounds despite a loss.

In October 2021, Šamanić moved to the New York Knicks on a two-way contract but was waived without appearing in a match. Subsequently, he underwent a brief stint with the Boston Celtics and the Maine Celtics training camp roster before he found his way to the Utah Jazz in March 2023, initially on a 10-day contract. His undeniable potential earned him a multi-year deal within a week.

Šamanić has represented the Croatian national team in various FIBA events, making his debut in 2016. He was named part of the all-star five following his outstanding show at the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship. The next year, he led his team to clinch a gold medal at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship Division B, earning the tournament MVP title yet again.

Fluent in Croatian, English, and Spanish, Šamanić maintains a balanced life apart from his on-court commitments. His life outside basketball is dominated by his love for soccer and table tennis. Among his basketball inspirations are former Croatian national player Toni Kukoč and American player Kevin Durant. Today, Luka Šamanić stands as a beacon of extraordinary basketball talent, inspiring aspiring athletes globally.