Career: BC Samara (Russia-Superleague, 1996-98), Unics Kazan (Russia-Superleague, 1998-2007), Dynamo Moscow (Russia-Superleague, 2007-2008).

The veteran point guard played valuable minutes last season for Russia, putting up modest numbers but earning the trust of coach David Blatt. A leader in the locker room, Samoylenko is quick and anticipates well on defense, leading to steals (he was tops in the Superleague in this defensive category). He finished first in the Superleague in 2007 with 2.2 per game. One reason why he plays for Blatt is the transition game. This season with Dynamo Moscow, he lost in the semi-final of the ULEB Cup against AKASVAYU Girona. Arguably the highlight of his club career came in 2004 when he helped UNICS Kazan capture the FIBA Europe League title in a Final Four that they hosted. The highlight of his international career was no doubt last summer in Spain.