JaKarr Sampson

JaKarr Sampson
Born	(1993-03-20) March 20, 1993 Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Occupation	Professional basketball player
Years active	2014–present
Known for	Playing in the NBA and international basketball leagues

JaKarr Jordan Sampson (born March 20, 1993) is a professional basketball athlete from the United States currently competing with Kuwait SC in the Kuwaiti Division I Basketball League. He played collegiate basketball representing the St. John's Red Storm. Renowned for his rebounding ability, shot-blocking skills, quickness, and nearly seven-foot wingspan, Sampson first garnered attention after securing a national title with Brewster Academy in 2012 and distinguishing himself as a top high school player.

High school career

From 2007 to 2010, Sampson attended St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio before transferring to Brewster Academy for his final year in 2010. In November of that year, he committed to play college basketball at St. John's University by signing a National Letter of Intent.

During his senior season (2010–11), Sampson posted averages of 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game, guiding Brewster to an impressive 31–3 record and earning a spot on the All-NEPSAC first team. After not meeting academic requirements to enroll at St. John's for the 2011–12 season, he returned to Brewster Academy where he led the squad to a prep national championship while averaging 18.5 points and 11.0 rebounds each contest. His efforts earned him NEPSAC AAA Player of the Year as well as MVP honors at the National Prep Championship. In March 2012, he reaffirmed his commitment to St. John's.

College career

In his freshman year with the St. John's, Sampson received the 2013 Big East Conference Men's Basketball Rookie of the Year award and was selected to the Big East All-Rookie team after averaging 14.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks over 33 games.

As a sophomore, he accumulated 424 points and grabbed 202 rebounds, concluding his tenure at St. John's with totals of 915 points and 420 rebounds. Preseason recognition included being named to the 2013 Pre-season All-Big East second team, with season averages of 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds across another 33-game campaign.

On March 24, 2014, Sampson opted to enter the 2014 NBA draft, choosing to forgo his remaining two years of collegiate eligibility.

Philadelphia 76ers (2014–2016)

Despite not being selected in the 2014 NBA draft, Sampson participated with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2014 NBA Summer League. He officially signed with Philadelphia on September 29, 2014. On November 21 of that year, he was assigned to their D-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers, but was recalled three days later. The Sixers waived him on February 18, 2016.

Denver Nuggets (2016)

Sampson inked a contract with the Denver Nuggets on February 22, 2016. He made his debut the following day, contributing one rebound and one steal in fourteen minutes off the bench during a narrow 114–110 defeat against the Sacramento Kings. The Nuggets released him on October 15, 2016.

Iowa Energy (2016–2017)

On October 21, 2016, Sampson signed with the Memphis Grizzlies but was waived just one day later. Subsequently, he joined the Iowa Energy, affiliated with Memphis in the NBA Development League, about a week afterward. His performance earned him selection to the Western Conference All-Star team for the 2017 NBA D-League All-Star Game on February 6, 2017.

Sacramento Kings (2017–2018)

On July 29, 2017, Sampson inked a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings, dividing his time during the 2017–18 season between the Kings and their G-League team, the Reno Bighorns. He achieved a personal best of 16 rebounds on December 6, 2017, in a matchup versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Throughout 35 appearances with the Bighorns, Sampson averaged 17.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.06 steals per contest.

Windy City Bulls (2018)

Sampson participated in the Chicago Bulls training camp starting September 24, 2018, but was released on October 12. Soon after, on October 20, the Windy City Bulls obtained his returning rights along with the 38th overall pick in the 2018 NBA G League Draft from the Iowa Wolves, trading away rights to Jarell Eddie and Jaylen Johnson. He officially became part of the Windy City Bulls roster on November 9, 2018.

Shandong Golden Stars (2018–2019)

On December 19, 2018, Sampson signed with the Shandong Golden Stars of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), stepping in as a replacement for injured player Donatas Motiejūnas.

Second stint with Windy City Bulls (2019)

The Windy City Bulls reacquired Sampson on January 29, 2019.

Chicago Bulls (2019)

On March 31, 2019, Sampson secured a 10-day contract with the Chicago Bulls. During four games off the bench, he posted averages of 20.0 points and 8.0 rebounds.

Shandong Heroes (2019)

Sampson joined the Shandong Heroes of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on July 4, 2019.

Indiana Pacers (2019–2021)

On August 2, 2019, Sampson agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,737,145 with the Indiana Pacers. He extended his tenure by re-signing on November 29, 2020. On April 21, 2021, Sampson faced a one-game suspension without pay following an incident where he headbutted Patty Mills during a confrontation between the Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs.

Virtus Bologna (2021–2022)

Sampson signed a two-year deal with Italy’s Virtus Bologna of the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) on September 27, 2021; this included participation in the EuroCup. After triumphing over Lietkabelis, Ulm, and Valencia in playoff rounds, Virtus claimed its inaugural EuroCup championship on May 11, 2022, thereby securing a spot in the EuroLeague for the first time in fourteen years. Despite finishing atop the regular season standings and sweeping Pesaro and Tortona in early playoff stages, Virtus fell short in the national finals, losing four games to two against Olimpia Milano.

Liaoning Flying Leopards (2022–2023)

On September 23, 2022, Sampson signed with the Liaoning Flying Leopards competing in China's Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 74 || 32 || 15.3 || .422 || .244 || .670 || 2.2 || 1.0 || .5 || .4 || 5.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 47 || 18 || 14.7 || .426 || .176 || .639 || 2.7 || .6 || .2 || .3 || 5.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Denver | 26 || 22 || 18.0 || .470 || .276 || .720 || 2.3 || .6 || .5 || .7 || 5.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Sacramento | 22 || 6 || 15.6 || .543 || .500 || .625 || 3.5 || .4 || .4 || 1.0 || 4.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Chicago | 4 || 0 || 31.8 || .537 || .357 || .810 || 8.0 || 1.0 || 1.0 || .8 || 20.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Indiana | 34 || 12 || 13.9 || .591 || .154 || .667 || 2.6 || .6 || .5 || .4 || 4.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Indiana | 29 || 4 || 10.9 || .496 || .200 || .655 || 2.7 || .1 || .1 || .5 || 4.6 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career | 236 || 94 || 15.0 || .471 || .248 || .670||2.7|| .7|| .4|| .5||5.2

Playoffs

|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Indiana | 4||0||12.5||.625||–||–||3.3||1.0||.5||.0||5.0

College

|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2012–13 | style="text-align:left;"| St. John's | 33||33||31.5||.449||.000||.640||6.6||1.1||1.1||1.1||14.9 |- | style="text-align:left;" | 2013–14

| style="text-align:left;" | St. John's
|33||32||29.0||.495.200||.565||6.1|||.12.06|||12..8

Personal life

Born in Akron, Sampson is the son of Darrel Sampson and Dawnette Epps and has two siblings, D. J. and Justin. Throughout his collegiate tenure, he was commonly referred to by the nickname SpongeBob Sampson.

External links

• St. John's Red Storm bio