Eligible for the 2000 NBA Draft as a player who played his first professional season in the United States this year. Would have been eligible this year had he remained in Europe as a foreign player in the calendar year of his 22nd birthday. Played in Slovenia for three seasons before coming to IBL to play in inaugural season. Played for Olimpija Ljubljana for the 1997-98 season before moving to Slovan for 1998-99 campaign.

A native of the Republic of Mali in West Africa. Speaks English, French and Bambara, his native dialect. Name pronounced soo-MY-luh sa-MAH-key. A former Boston University player and Cincinnati Stuff assistant coach named Scott Spinelli first saw Samake while on a recruiting trip for the University of Wyoming. He tried to recruit Samake for Wyoming, but Samake opted to play professionally in Slovenia and earn money. Spinelli encouraged Cincinnati to draft Samake in the IBL Draft.

Played this season for the Cincinnati Stuff of the International Basketball League. Appeared in 60 of the team's 64 games and made 31 starts. Averaged 29.1 minutes per game for a team that went 43-21 and won the East Division, capturing the second-best record in the IBL.

Led the IBL in blocked shots with 2.7 blocks per game, 162 blocked shots total. Also was fourth in field goal percentage (.569) and seventh in rebounding (7.6 rpg). Averaged 9.7 ppg, sixth for Cincinnati. Had an IBL-record eight blocked shots to go along with 18 points and 15 rebounds on March 21 vs. Baltimore. Had 21 games where he blocked at least four shots. Had first double-double of season in fifth game when he tallied 18 point and 10 rebounds at Richmond December 12. Had 16 games where he reached double figures in rebounds. Posted season-high 17 rebounds to go along with 15 points and five blocks vs. Trenton on March 12.