NEW YORK — St. John’s forward JaKarr Sampson went undrafted in Thursday’s NBA Draft, but it didn’t take him long to find a team interested in his services.
The 6-foot-9 Sampson, who attended the same Ohio high school as LeBron James and was the Big East Rookie of the Year in 2012-13, will play for the Philadelphia 76ers summer league team in Orlando.
“Literally the second the draft was over I got a call from both [Sixers GM] Sam Hinkie and [Sixers coach] Brett Brown with both telling me they love JaKarr and want him on their Summer League team,” Seth Cohen, Sampson’s agent, told SNY.tv. “I have to believe that JaKarr will get a fair shot and opportunity.”
St. John’s coach Steve Lavin told SNY.tv: “Naturally, Jakarr would have preferred to be drafted but he has the upside ability and determination to earn his way on to an NBA roster. No doubt JaKarr has a bright future in basketball.”
Sampson declared in March for the NBA Draft after averaging 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds for a Johnnies team that failed to make the NCAA Tournament and was bounced in the first round of the NIT by Robert Morris.
“It has been my lifelong dream to play in the NBA, and I am excited and ready to begin that journey,” Sampson said then.
The Sixers entered the Draft with seven picks, including two in the top-10, and emerged with seven players, including former Kansas big man Joel Embiid with the No. 3 pick, and Croatian star Dario Saric, as well as a handful of future picks.
The New York Post first reported the Sixers’ summer league invite for Sampson.
