Despite a strong showing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the preseason, a return to the NBA has been ruled out for Jamaican Samardo Samuels, who will instead move to Italy.

Samuels recently inked a two-year deal with Milan team Olimpia Milano, a top-tier Italian league team and a member of the Euroleague's premier circuit. After playing briefly in Israel Samuels would have hoped to rejoin the NBA after averaging 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds as a member of the Clippers summer league roster. Samuels, however, faced stiff competition for a spot on the roster with the Clips already having wing roster spots committed to Matt Barnes, Jared Dudley and Reggie Bullock. Luca Banchi coach of Olympia was pleased to acquire the services of the Jamaican.

"Samardo Samuels is a player who, after the NBA experience, showed in Israel to have the skills necessary to adjust well to the European style," Banchi said.

"We strongly believe in a young guy, very motivated to reach the goals we set for ourselves in Olimpia."

Samuels was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 after going undrafted out of the University of Louisville.

After struggling to secure a regular spot in the rotation averaging numbers of 5.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, the player was waived by the club in January. Samuels spent time in the NBA's D-League before his release.