University of Louisville center Samardo Samuels received a major honor this week as he was elected to play for the Jamaican National Team.  The 6′9 240 pound Samuels was born in Trelawny, Jamaica and will lead his national team into action at the Carribean Basketball Championships in the Virgin Islands.  The tournament is scheduled to start today and run through Saturday July 4th. 

The Jamaican team will face Trinidad and Tobago in its opening game tonight.  They will also face the Bahamas on Wednesday and finish up group play with a game against Barbados on Thursday.  In an exhibition game last Friday against the National Basketball League of Jamaica All-Stars, Samuels led all scorers with 21 points in a victory. 

Samuels averaged 11.8 points per game and 4.9 boards for the Cardinals, and was also named Co-Freshman of the Year in the Big East with Greg Monroe from Georgetown.   The 11.8 points and 4.9 boards each ranked third on the team behind lottery picks Terrance Williams and Earl Clark. 

Other notable members of the Jamaican National Team include fellow Big East players Weyinmi Efejuku of Providence and Mike Coburn of Rutgers.  The team is also coached by former Charlotte Bobcats head man Sam Vincent.