Croatian forward Luka Samanic has submitted paperwork to the league office to make himself eligible for the 2019 NBA draft, a source told ESPN.
Samanic, the No. 39 prospect in the ESPN Top 100, plays for Olimpija Ljubljana in the Adriatic, Slovenian and FIBA Champions leagues, averaging 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 18 minutes through 44 games. Samanic was named the MVP of the FIBA U18 European Championship Division B in 2017.
Measured over 6-foot-11 in shoes at last year's Basketball Without Borders Global Camp in Los Angeles during All-Star Weekend, Samanic is a skilled perimeter player with impressive fluidity for a player his size. He's proven capable of guarding a variety of positions defensively throughout his career, although he will need to add strength to his lanky frame and continue to improve his consistency as a shooter.
Samanic's size, versatility and youth, at just 19 years old, will give him a chance to potentially hear his name called in the first round should he elect to stay in at the June 10 early-entry deadline.
