Samson Invited To The Portsmouth Invitational

[aceboon]

The Portsmouth Invitational is a basketball camp/showcase tournament for seniors to play in front of NBA and international scouts

 

[REB1094]

It sounds small, but remember Tyrese Martin started here and worked his way into the NBA draft

Anything is possible. Let’s go Samson!!!

 

[3rdbass]

It sounds small, but remember Tyrese Martin started here and worked his way into the NBA draft

Anything is possible. Let’s go Samson!!!

He has some NBA Skills with ability to be a rim runner and a shot blocker at the next level. I wish you good luck Mr. Samson. I have faith you can at least get and NBA tryout and a legit chance to make a roster.

 

[Shamon30]

He'll at least get some workouts with some teams. I'm confident in that

 

[mauconnfan]

Kids gonna make some money in the game I’m thinking along the lines of Josh Boone, Rod Sellers and others who made nice livings in Europe. Best of luck to SJ we were fortunate to have this young man at Storrs no matter.

 

[Palatine]

SJ is 22 years old. He will get stronger. IN a couple of years, he should be a heck of player for somebody somewhere.

 

[UCLJ0211]

There’s always the overseas route. Samson will make a lot of money playing basketball somewhere.

 

[brihman]

It sounds small, but remember Tyrese Martin started here and worked his way into the NBA draft

Anything is possible. Let’s go Samson!!!

Martin has molded himself into a very good basketball player

 

[ToolzieFan]

Samson’s measurements:
Height - 6’10”
Standing reach - 9’1”
Wing span - 7’2.5”
Vertical jump - 30.5”
National championships - 2

 

[imno1]

I’m sure I’m in the minority especially since he hadn’t shown much of an offensive game in his time here but I believe Samson has more offense skill than he displayed at UConn.

 

[REB1094]

I guess Portsmouth goes quick. Samson has already played 3 times

Thursday 9:15pm - 10pts, 8reb, 2stl on 4-8 FG (0-2 on threes). 32 point loss, ouch
Friday 3:15pm - 8pts, 7reb, 1blk on 4-7 FG. 8 point loss
Today at 11am - 4pts, 5reb, 1stl on 1-1 (2-2 FT) in 30 min. 21 point loss

 

[boog204]

I’m sure I’m in the minority especially since he hadn’t shown much of an offensive game in his time here but I believe Samson has more offense skill than he displayed at UConn.

I mean, you have to take high school scouting reports, etc., with a grain of salt, but he was considered a stretch four who could "fill it up from deep," and his coach said he hit 40% from 3 his senior year. He had horrendous form and small sample size, but almost 1/3 of his shots his freshman year were 3's.

 

[nomar]

I’m sure I’m in the minority especially since he hadn’t shown much of an offensive game in his time here but I believe Samson has more offense skill than he displayed at UConn.

He always seemed to have a nice touch. Even with all the dunks, 77% is a super high percentage.

My concern is he's just not strong enough and never will be. Nor is he an instinctively good rebounder, which would allow him to make up for that. 3.5 RPG in 19 MPG is bad.

 

[Deleted at users request]

He always seemed to have a nice touch. Even with all the dunks, 77% is a super high percentage.

My concern is he's just not strong enough and never will be. Nor is he an instinctively good rebounder, which would allow him to make up for that. 3.5 RPG in 19 MPG is bad.

His best bet at the NBA would've been at PF most likely. I wonder how things may have been for him if he didn't get hurt his sophomore year and started/played a lot at that spot in 23.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

His best bet at the NBA would've been at PF most likely. I wonder how things may have been for him if he didn't get hurt his sophomore year and started/played a lot at that spot in 23.

I don’t know if that really has an impact on his pro future. The offensive skills he needs to be an NBA four would have made him a huge asset as a college five, so I don’t think we can point to his position as the issue. I think Nomar pretty much nailed it. Real hard to make it as an NBA big with his strength and rebounding issues without being an absolute stud on the offensive end. But excited to see him give it a shot and if not, he’s an exciting player that will be a big draw overseas somewhere.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I don’t know if that really has an impact on his pro future. The offensive skills he needs to be an NBA four would have made him a huge asset as a college five, so I don’t think we can point to his position as the issue. I think Nomar pretty much nailed it. Real hard to make it as an NBA big with his strength and rebounding issues without being an absolute stud on the offensive end. But excited to see him give it a shot and if not, he’s an exciting player that will be a big draw overseas somewhere.

Unless you've shown years of excellence to be given the room to grow your game like Sanogo, being a 5 in our system only allows you to play one way.

Our coaches weren't going to let Johnson expand his game to show off 4 capabilities off the bench or in his one season of starting without perfecting being a 5 first. Its what they did with Clingan and also do with Reed.

I actually love that approach when developing a 5 to make sure they are great at the fundamentals. Johnson just wasn't meant to be a 5.

 

[alphasigko]

Unless you've shown years of excellence to be given the room to grow your game like Sanogo, being a 5 in our system only allows you to play one way.

Our coaches weren't going to let Johnson expand his game to show off 4 capabilities off the bench or in his one season of starting without perfecting being a 5 first. Its what they did with Clingan and also do with Reed.

I actually love that approach when developing a 5 to make sure they are great at the fundamentals. Johnson just wasn't meant to be a 5.

This may be the 1st time that I have agreed with you on anything you have posted here!

 

[jdb50]

Samson stayed within his role at UConn. I think he can do more but it will take a couple years.

 

[Deleted at users request]

This may be the 1st time that I have agreed with you on anything you have posted here!

Haha I'm sure there is more. The heat and recency bias from my Ross take is just fresh lmao

 

[JohnFSilver]

There’s always the overseas route. Samson will make a lot of money playing basketball somewhere.

I think two way is his first goal. Goes exhibit 10 or two way and plays in G League for first year.

He has some nba level skills and athleticism.

 

[caw]

Samson’s measurements:
Height - 6’10”
Standing reach - 9’1”
Wing span - 7’2.5”
Vertical jump - 30.5”
National championships - 2

Is that a no step vert? I can't imagine it's a Max Vert.

 

[auror]

Is that a no step vert? I can't imagine it's a Max Vert.

Considering no one got above 34.5, it has to be no step.

 

[caw]

Considering no one got above 34.5, it has to be no step.

I assumed but usually they note that so wasn't sure.

 

[Chief00]

I guess Portsmouth goes quick. Samson has already played 3 times

Thursday 9:15pm - 10pts, 8reb, 2stl on 4-8 FG (0-2 on threes). 32 point loss, ouch
Friday 3:15pm - 8pts, 7reb, 1blk on 4-7 FG. 8 point loss
Today at 11am - 4pts, 5reb, 1stl on 1-1 (2-2 FT) in 30 min. 21 point loss

His rebounding goes up when he’s not 25 feet away from the basket high hedging

 

[Kitaman]

All I know is he better befriend the point guards and all the teammates who can throw alley-oops. Use some NIL or whatever he needs to do because he's got to show he can score even if its his one and only trick.

 

[REB1094]

All I know is he better befriend the point guards and all the teammates who can throw alley-oops. Use some NIL or whatever he needs to do because he's got to show he can score even if its his one and only trick.

The invitational is already over. Based on what happened in 2022 (when Tyrese went through it), certain players should find out in early May if they will be invited to the G League Elite camp

Samson averaged 7.3 PPG and 6.7 RPG shooting 56%, but his team went 0-3

Doesn’t feel like that’s enough to secure a spot, but I’m not 100% sure how these things work. So I guess we’ll see!

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Unless you've shown years of excellence to be given the room to grow your game like Sanogo, being a 5 in our system only allows you to play one way.

Our coaches weren't going to let Johnson expand his game to show off 4 capabilities off the bench or in his one season of starting without perfecting being a 5 first. Its what they did with Clingan and also do with Reed.

I actually love that approach when developing a 5 to make sure they are great at the fundamentals. Johnson just wasn't meant to be a 5.

I think you’re misunderstanding my point. Tarris isn’t chucking up threes but he shows a lot more offensive skill than Samson, which the team incorporates into what he does as a 5. The staff utilized Samson’s ability within the offense well but i wouldn’t exactly call it high skill. He’s super athletic but has a very limited bag of moves, can’t really handle the ball or face up, etc. I find it really hard to believe that had he not gotten injured and played some more at the four (seems pretty obvious in hindsight that Karaban would have ended up getting the bulk of the PT), that would have had a good shot at developing him into an NBA four. The level of development needed there is so far beyond what you almost ever see. I just don’t think that was realistic.

 

[Dove]

Love Samson. Praying he has a great Invitational.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I think you’re misunderstanding my point. Tarris isn’t chucking up threes but he shows a lot more offensive skill than Samson, which the team incorporates into what he does as a 5. The staff utilized Samson’s ability within the offense well but i wouldn’t exactly call it high skill. He’s super athletic but has a very limited bag of moves, can’t really handle the ball or face up, etc. I find it really hard to believe that had he not gotten injured and played some more at the four (seems pretty obvious in hindsight that Karaban would have ended up getting the bulk of the PT), that would have had a good shot at developing him into an NBA four. The level of development needed there is so far beyond what you almost ever see. I just don’t think that was realistic.

Tarris skill is post related so that makes sense.

I don't think the staff ever thinks about starting Samson at the 4 if he never showed some perimeter skills. Skills that would not help the team at the 5.

 

[HuskyHawk]

His rebounding goes up when he’s not 25 feet away from the basket high hedging

True. But I'll say this, that high hedging has made him into a much more effective perimeter defender, a big who can guard multiple positions.

If Samson can develop that 3 point shot he took more regularly in HS, plus add more muscle, he can carve out a role. At the very least he should have a long career in Europe.