Samardo Samuels, who hails from the home of Usain Bolt in Trelawny, Jamaica, has entered this year’s NBA Draft.

Samuels is a former MacDonald’s All American, USA Today’s Number One high School player and a Nike Top-Five with the likes of Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, Joe Holiday, and Greg Munroe. Samuels and Greg are the last two of that batch who will now make their way to the NBA. Greg Munroe is an expected top-10 pick. Samuels was also a KFC Star search Camp standout from the KFC/ISSA High school leagues in Jamaica before going to the US.

Samuels took Louisville to number one ranking as a freshman and Final Four and an NCAA Berth in his sophomore year though this season’s team may have lacked overall talent to have taken them further. He also carried Jamaica’s national team, coached by Sam Vincent (former Charlotte Bobcats coach) to the Caribbean Championships in 2009 on their quest to get the Olympics for 2012 .

He is a projected mid-first to mid-second round pick. He has already shed 10lbs and is down to 250lbs, increasing his lateral speed and vertical quickness off the ground. Samuels has stated: “I am looking forward to showing GMs across the NBA my total repertoire of skills as a power forward and passion for the game.”

Said Sam Vincent: “I enjoyed coaching Samardo last summer. I was impressed with his talent and his abilities to play the four and score effectively away from the basket. I am confident that due to his work ethic and love for the game that he will excel at the NBA level.”

Team Jamaica plays in the Centro Basket Tournament this summer July 7-11, in Dom Rep, which was sponsored by KFC and Flow last year.