AS Samardo Samuels heads to New York City this weekend for the Big East Tournament, he must be somewhat relieved and satisfied with this season.

It started with much uncertainty, both in terms of whether he would go pro after his sophomore year or whether his revamped younger team was capable of winning consistently.

One of the greatest benefits he derived from playing for the national team was mental maturity. I got closer to him at the request of his parents in trying to help shape this talented charismatic young man.

My help mainly has come from words of encouragement and information that would enable him to improve or make better decisions. I focused on him being a leader by example, emphasising his education, and most of all, enjoying his collegiate experience as it is one to savour.

I told him that getting to the NBA is great, but he should try to focus and control the things he can, such as having fun, working hard, increasing his intellectual IQ both for the game and after the game has passed him by.

Samardo came into his new season with a different approach to the game and it was evident he had matured. Louisville started off steadily, then had a few close losses and just when the season seemed doomed to mediocrity and a pending absence from the post-season tournament, suddenly their young guards started to gain confidence and Samardo suddenly seemingly decided to will himself and his team to a berth in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) tournament, which is also often termed “March Madness”.

March Madness is normally when the craziest shots are taken and made and the most unimaginable victories from underdog “never say die” teams take place and out of nowhere heroes who find their rhythm go off for 20-plus, 30-plus points, but seemingly someone forgot to tell Samardo it was not March yet, as he “went off” on the University of Notre Dame for a dazzling 36 points, which was a ‘must win’ game to keep Louisville hopes alive.

That inspiration helped fuel the fire that ushered his team to two additional big victories, especially their last regular season win over highly-ranked Syracuse and secured their spot in the NCAA 64/65 team tournament.

He has now added a few more victories to his belt and as the rumour mill swirls around him, he must now stick to his programme, complete his season with that balance and he will reach his dream of playing in the NBA.

Could it be this year? Yes. Could be next? Yes, but either way, he must first enjoy his current accomplishments, finish strongly and then make that important decision: Do I stay or do I go?

He will, of course, weigh all his options, as any talented prospect must, quantify almost definitively his/her possible draft position and advantages or disadvantages of going back to school to get closer to completing one’s degree, much like some of the great ones did, Michael Jordan included, who graduated with a degree in Geography.

That degree, we can all attest, seems to have indeed helped him in the game. Going back to school could also help him develop his game more, or it could also stagnate his growth.

That degree, we can all attest, seems to have indeed helped him in the game. Going back to school could also help him develop his game more, or it could also stagnate his growth.

Whichever decision he makes, we as a country should be proud of another Jamaican, who having been born and raised here, will walk in the footsteps of the great Patrick Ewing and also with time, patience, hard work and health, he can make his own mark in NBA.

All those who had a hand in his success, from Stephen Johnson, who brought him to the US, to the KFC Star Search Camp that helped to discover him, to the FLOW/KFC superbly-sponsored national team and mostly his parents should all be proud of him.

Samardo and Louisville will face one of two Jamaicans, Stephen Toyloy, who plays for University of Cincinnati or Mike Coburn, who plays for the University of Rutgers and represented Jamaica in 2009, in this week’s Big East Tournament which started yesterday. Their first game will be aired on ESPN at 9:00 pm tonight.

(Ajani Williams is president of the Jamaica Basketball Association).