Indiana Pacers: Get to know JaKarr Sampson and his role

The Indiana Pacers have had to battle through injuries this season and JaKarr Sampson has stepped up when called. The Pacers’ front office has put pieces in place to make sure the team stays afloat and one of those pieces is JaKarr Sampson.

The Indiana Pacers have had a season riddled by injuries but big man JaKarr Sampson has given the team peace of mind.

Unfortunately, those injuries have taken a hit on every position on the roster. The lack of health has forced the coaching staff to rely on the roster’s depth.

Last week, power forward Domantas Sabonis would miss his third game of the season due to a sore left knee.

Due to Sabonis’ absence, Sampson got the opportunity to be a part of the starting lineup.

In only 13 appearances this season Sampson has had eight starts, a testament to his ability to be ready when called but also evidence of the Pacers’ injury woes.

But in only his first season in Indiana, many fans aren’t aware of the big man’s journey to the Pacers.

Sampson is an Akron, Ohio native and attended LeBron James’ alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School during the early portion of his prep career.

Due to early success as a young player in Akron, Sampson made the transition to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire to improve his recruiting stock and play.

That experience was capped off with the opportunity to play for the historic St. John’s University basketball program in Queens, New York.

At St. John’s, Sampson would once again have success from the start.

Sampson was named the 2013 Big East Rookie of the Year after a tremendous freshman year campaign where he averaged 14.9 points and 6.6 rebounds a game.

Talents like Patrick Ewing, Allen Iverson, and Lance Stephenson have also received the award.

Sampson’s early success put him on NBA radars. After his second season at St. John’s, the big man would forgo his final two seasons of eligibility and take his game to the professional level.

Even though the talent was apparent, Sampson would slip in the 2014 NBA Draft and go undrafted.

The Philadelphia 76ers would take a chance on Sampson. Unable to crack the roster, Sampson was placed with Philadelphia’s D-League affiliate (now G-League), the Delaware 87ers.

Philadelphia would eventually waive Sampson which gave an opportunity with the Denver Nuggets. Sampson would spend the majority of the 2016 season in Denver.

But once again, Denver would part ways with Sampson.

After that season, Sampson would have other stints in the G-League with the Iowa Energy (Memphis Grizzlies), Reno Bighorns (Sacramento Kings), and Windy City Bulls (Chicago Bulls).

Despite the carousel of teams, Sampson was able to show his worth as a rebounder and shot-blocker. That ability is what afforded him multiple opportunities.

Unable to find his footing with a team, Sampson would make the transition to China.

Finding a home with the Shandong Golden Stars of the Chinese Basketball Association, Sampson would spend a portion of the 2018-2019 season with the club before returning once again to Chicago to carve out a role.

On a ten-day contract with the Bulls in early 2019, Sampson would prove his worth and average 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench in a four-game span.

Those performances would put Sampson back on the map as a formidable option off the bench. That would eventually lead the Pacers’ front office to turn to Sampson as a way to add depth.

That was solidified with a one-year deal this offseason between Sampson and the Pacers. The front office’s decision to bring in Sampson has already paid off.

In his 13 games played this season, Sampson has allowed the Pacers to perform without any regression. In the game against the Bulls, Sampson came out the gates firing and gave the team some much-needed life without two of its best players.

Sampson has solidified himself once again as a solid go-to option. In an arduous NBA season, having a piece like Sampson can pay dividends.

Sampson is a perfect role player for the Pacers as the season moves forward. If another injury to Myles Turner or Sabonis occurs, expect Sampson to step up to the plate with no hesitation.