Žiga Samar is emerging as the next great defender from Slovenia
By Aris Barkas/ [email protected]
You know the story about the Slovenian guard who invented the Ljubljana Olimpija, moved to Real Madrid, and was hailed as the best man of his generation? No, it’s not Luka Dončić, although Žiga Samar’s path is similar.
Another Slovenian player, two years younger than him, moved to Spain on Dončić’s heels. He won the Adidas Next Generation Tournament 2019 and is the next big thing from the Balkan country. And while it’s unfair to compare anyone to a generational talent like Dončić, Samar is already making his mark in the 7DAYS EuroCup as a loan player for Veolia Towers Hamburg after signing from traditional German powerhouse ALBA Berlin last summer .
Behind the 22-year-old keeper is a season that strengthens his status as one of the players who will be part of the European elite in the near future. He is already averaging 9.1 points and 5.8 assists as a large part of Hamburg’s system is at an age where very few players are ready for such a competitive level.
To be precise, Samar ranks fourth in the EuroCup in assists, just a hair ahead of teammate Kendale McCullum, which is no small feat by any means. He is one of the main contenders to win the EuroCup Rising Star award, an honor shared in the past by players such as Donatas Motjejunas, Jonas Valanciunas, Kristaps Porzingis and Dzanan Musa.
Samar’s skills were on full display in last week’s away win against Slask Wroclaw. In one of his best games ever, he scored 17 points and dished out 11 assists in just 24 minutes of action. Obviously, both he and Hamburg need a lot more. They are more than capable of making the playoffs, but would be considered underdogs against almost any opponent.
And that’s pretty much the story of Samar’s career so far. Despite being a top talent, he was also an underdog, automatically compared to a player who, at just 23 years old, is considered one of the greatest of all time.
However, there is another angle to this. Samar has already signed a four-year contract with ALBA Berlin and this season is more than proving that he can make it to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague. Regardless of what Hamburg’s final results will be, this season can definitely be considered a turning point for Samar and Berlin awaits him with open arms.
Meanwhile, there are still six matches left in this regular season of the EuroCup and probably at least one more elimination match with the possibility of a longer streak.
With his immediate future pretty much already streamlined, Samar can build on what he has already achieved and make the most of a season that has already had some ups and downs for Hamburg, including a coaching change.
And this can end up being the perfect combination. As Samar develops as a player, gains more confidence and puts up bigger numbers, Hamburg will also benefit from his rise in the quest to produce something more memorable than last season. After all, while Hamburg turned its share of heads last year, the Towers went a meager 6-10 and were defeated in their first elimination game by Valencia A basket in a game that ended with an 18-point difference.
Since Samar is steadily progressing and the matches with elimination places are an ideal field for upheavals, the Slovenian defender will get his shot. No one should sleep on it.