By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Virtus Bologna has been struck by injuries at the start of the season, missing both Ekpe Udoh and Awudu Abass, and new additions have been a must. One of the replacements has been decided on as JaKarr Sampson has joined the team until summer 2023.
This will be Sampson’s first stint in Europe after six seasons in the NBA and G League.
Per Virtus Bologna:
Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna S.p.A. announces that it has reached an agreement until June 30, 2023 with JaKarr Sampson.
The words of the General Manager of the Vere Nere, Paolo Ronci: “We suffered serious injuries that forced us to go back on the market and, thanks to the usual availability of Dr. Massimo Zanetti, we were able to do so for a high profile player. Jakarr Sampson is a 28 years old athlete, with 200 NBA games of experience, and with characteristics of physicality and dynamism that we believe are useful to our roster. On behalf of Virtus Segafredo I welcome Jakarr, who will be in Bologna in the next few days after completing the paperwork for the issuance of a visa to enter Italy”.
A 206cm wing/center, JaKarr Sampson was born in Cleveland on March 20, 1993.
He attended St. John’s College from 2012 to 2014. His senior career begins between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Delaware 87ers, an affiliated franchise. In 2016 he signed for the Denver Nuggets and the following season to the Sacramento Kings. During his time with the Kings, he plays for the Reno Bighorms and Windy City Bulls. In 2018/2019 comes the signing with the Shandong Golden Stars. In the same season the Chicago Bulls sign Sampson with a 10-day contract: in four games with the Bulls he closes with an average of 20 points and 8 rebounds. In August 2019 Sampson begins his adventure, still in the NBA, to the Indiana Pacers, while in the last year he closed with almost 5 points and 3 rebounds average per game.
In particular, against Lebron James’ Los Angeles Lakers, Sampson, last May 15, 2021, scored 20 points in 20 minutes with 69% from the field.
Virtus Segafredo Bologna officially welcomes JaKarr Sampson to the big black and white family.