San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon asks fans to be patient on rookie Luka Samanic.
The 6-foot-11 Samanic was selected by the Spurs with the 19th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. In his Summer League debut, the 19-year-old Croatian put up an impressive game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with 11 points and seven rebounds. However, his follow up game wasn't as stellar as his first after making just nine points on 2-of-9 shooting against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Hammon, the Spurs' head coach for the Summer League, says that Samanic has shown flashes of brilliance, but at the end of the day, he is still a young kid.
Becky Hammon, on Spurs' first-round rookie Luka Samanic: "We’re going to stay on him. There’s times where he has these 'ooo-ahh' moments. There’s other times you have to remember he’s 19."
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) July 7, 2019
The Spurs have been known to develop seemingly out-of-the-radar draft choices into superstars. Just recall the likes of Tony Parker — the 28th overall pick in 2001. In his stint in San Antonio, he won four titles including a Finals MVP trophy as well as multiple All-Star and All-NBA selections. Manu Ginobili, who was the 57th overall pick in 1999, also notched in a Hall-of-Fame career
And of course, there's Kawhi Leonard — the Indiana Pacers' 15th pick in 2011 whom the Spurs traded for during the draft night. His championship with the Toronto Raptors certainly proved he's a one-of-a-kind talent. And his move to the LA Clippers, which brought along Paul George, proves how much power Leonard has in the league.
So for Spurs fans who are anxious about Samanic's performances so far, they just need to be patient. Under Gregg Popovich's guidance, he'll do just fine.
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