Alexandros Samodurov might be one of the most overlooked players on UNC’s roster. The versatile Greek forward brings EuroLeague experience, defensive instincts and a skill set that could earn Michael Malone’s trust quickly.
The annual Locked On Tar Heels basketball roster preview series has officially reached the junior class — although “class” might be stretching the definition.
After working through freshmen Maximo Adams, Sayon Keita, Malloy Smith and Kevin Thomas, followed by sophomores Matt Able, Neoklis Avdalas, Cade Bennerman and Isaiah Denis, the ninth installment turns its attention to the lone junior expected to factor into North Carolina’s rotation: Alexandros Samodurov.
And perhaps the biggest question surrounding the 6-foot-11 Greek forward is a simple one: Are we sleeping on Samo?
Sleepers Media’s Riley Davis certainly thinks so.
Samodurov has seemingly gotten lost amid the numerous intriguing pieces Michael Malone assembled for his first UNC roster. Avdalas has generated plenty of attention as another highly regarded Greek prospect. Keita brings considerable intrigue to the frontcourt. Jarin Stevenson is an established returning Tar Heel. Then there is a backcourt featuring Terrence Brown, Able and Avdalas that figures to command plenty of attention.
Samodurov, meanwhile, might quietly possess one of the roster’s most fascinating combinations of experience, size and versatility.
Unlike many international prospects making the jump to college basketball, Samodurov has already logged meaningful minutes against grown professionals. Davis pointed specifically to his experience with Panathinaikos, one of Europe’s premier clubs, where Samodurov received significant playing time in Greece’s domestic league and also appeared in EuroLeague competition.
That experience could make his transition particularly interesting.
Samodurov is listed by UNC at 6-foot-11 and 225 pounds and is classified as a junior. In the new five-years-of-eligibility landscape discussed on the show, that potentially leaves him with three seasons in Chapel Hill. He will wear No. 22.
Positionally, Samodurov might be best described as a four who can capably function as a five.
His offensive versatility is perhaps the most intriguing element of his game. He can roll hard to the rim and finish above it, operate in pick-and-pop situations, make passes from the elbow or short roll and move intelligently without the basketball. His familiarity with Avdalas could prove valuable if the latter becomes one of Carolina’s primary ball-screen creators.
The swing skill is shooting.
Samodurov has demonstrated enough perimeter ability to make defenses respect him, but his results and mechanics have not always been consistent. Davis suggested that if Samodurov develops into roughly a 35-percent 3-point shooter, it becomes difficult to envision him not starting for the Tar Heels.
Perhaps even more important, though, is his feel for the game.
Davis repeatedly highlighted Samodurov’s instincts on both ends of the court. Offensively, he recognizes cutting opportunities and understands where to position himself. Defensively, he anticipates actions, gets into passing lanes and could provide some weak-side rim protection despite not possessing overwhelming length.
That combination could quickly earn Malone’s trust.
In fact, Davis went considerably further than simply predicting Samodurov will crack the rotation. He expects him to start, potentially from opening night, and believes a Stevenson-Samodurov frontcourt could be Carolina’s initial pairing at the four and five. Even in a worst-case scenario, Davis projected Samodurov as approximately the seventh man in the rotation.
My projection was slightly more conservative but still reflected significant optimism: by February, Samodurov will have earned enough trust from Malone to routinely appear during Carolina’s most important late-game situations.
Davis went bolder, predicting Samodurov will eventually unseat Stevenson in the starting lineup as Carolina settles into its best rotation for postseason play.
There are still questions.
Samodurov must continue adding strength and needs to prove that his intriguing international skill set translates immediately to American college basketball. His perimeter jumper could ultimately dictate whether he is simply a useful rotation piece or something substantially more.
But the résumé provides plenty of reason for optimism.
This isn’t merely a young international prospect Carolina hopes will eventually develop. Samodurov has already competed in the EuroLeague and against professionals considerably older than him. Davis noted recent examples of international players with EuroLeague experience successfully transitioning to college basketball, even while acknowledging that track record is hardly foolproof.
Our scoring projections landed in a similar neighborhood: Davis took the over on an 8.5 points-per-game line and projected nine points per game, while I settled at eight. We differed on his perimeter shooting, with Davis projecting around 30 percent and taking the under on 33.5 percent, while I predicted Samodurov reaches 35 percent.
If that latter number becomes reality?
North Carolina might not simply have another useful frontcourt piece.
The Tar Heels might have been hiding one of the roster’s most important players in plain sight.
Here's the full conversation on Samodurov from Locked On Tar Heels:
For the entire player preview series, check out this playlist:
