Samardo Samuels (24) of Jamaica in action for Cleveland Cavaliers against Oklahoma City Thunder's Nick Collison (4) in 2012. - file

Professional basketballer and national representative, Samardo Samuels, has returned from Europe for vacation and to complete plans for a basketball camp here.

Samuels, the 2014 Italian Lega Basket Serie A Champion with his Olimpia Milano (EA7 Emporio Armani Olimpia Milano) outfit, is currently finalising plans to commence the camp.

He told THE STAR, "I went to the KFC Star Search camp yesterday (Monday) ... they introduced the idea and so we are putting plans together ... I'm going to help but I need help too from the elders who are willing to put kids first."

He continued: "Before I left on a scholarship the game in Jamaica was at a level. My vision is to see that the game here gets back to be playing at a high level ... I see tall youth walking around, you can teach a lot but you can't teach someone to be tall ... I'm gonna try to do a better job to help these kids reach their goals and open up."

Apart from basketball, Samuels told STAR Sports that he is here enjoying the positive vibes.

first season

"I came here to kick it with my mom and soak in the island ... I just learned that Sumfest is in a few days so I might as well extended my stay and go to Sumfest", said the 6ft 9in power forward.

Samuels, 25, is basking in the success of his first season in Italy and hopes to repeat or better his performance on the final year of his contract.

"I won the championship in Italy and I have another year on contract ... hopefully, I have a great year next year and then I'll try to get back in the NBA, but I'll have to go back to Europe and repeat my performance," he said.

Making the comparison with the NBA and Euro league, Samuels said: "The Euro league is pretty competitive, even more than I thought ... guys could go either way - to the NBA or Europe ... getting paid to live in Europe, what's so bad about that?"

Before he took his craft to Europe, Samuels spent three years in the NBA donning the maroon and gold for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2010-2013. STAR Sports quizzed Samuels about his thoughts on the Cavaliers recent acquisition of four-time league MVP Lebron James, who is making a return to Cleveland.

The former Cavalier said" "Its great for the Cavs ... They are a great organisation, with 'Bron going back I hope they get a championship ... he will get them over the hump with his experience, plus he has the young guys like Kyrie Irving to work with."