INDIANAPOLIS, IN — From Brazil to Kansas and now Butler University, Samis Calderon’s basketball journey has taken him across borders and programs with each stop helping shape the player he is today.

After spending his freshman season at the University of Kansas, the Vitoria, Brazil native is beginning a new chapter with the Bulldogs under first-year head coach Ronald Nored.

Signed 📝 🐶 🏀

Welcome to the Bulldog family, Samis!

📰: https://t.co/dquHtKUbrK pic.twitter.com/UE1E5OGb54

— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) April 30, 2026

But Calderon’s basketball journey began long before he arrived on a college campus in the states.

The six-foot-eight forward represented his homeland at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship and Under-18 South American Championship before competing at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Hungary.

During the U19 tournament, Calderon averaged 9.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, gaining valuable international experience while representing Brazil.

And about that, representing Brazil has been one of the most meaningful experiences of his basketball career.

Before playing with the Cold Hearts of Overtime Elite prior to his collegiate career, Brazilian sophomore forward Samis Calderon, with a ton of international playing experience, developed more on his game and skills at NBA Academy Latin America located in Mexico City – Image Credit: Butler University Athletics

When asked about his favorite basketball moment in a player questionnaire published by Kansas Athletics last season, Calderon reflected on his time of having his home country lettered on his chest.

“All the times I played for my national team,” Calderon said, who can speak three different languages—Portuguese, Spanish and English. 

Basketball also runs in his family. Calderon credited his mother Celiza Rodrigues Dos Santos, father Luis and older brother Emmanuel for inspiring him to pursue the sport. 

ALAS
⁰Samis Calderón – NBA Academy-MEX⁰Guilherme Tesch – IMG Academy-EUA⁰Breno Silva – NBA Academy-MEX pic.twitter.com/u3NH4tZPBi

— Basquete Brasil – CBB (@basquetebrasil) May 23, 2023

His Brazilian roots remain an important part of his journey, even as basketball has taken him from South America to the U.S.

His development continued at the NBA Academy Latin America in Mexico before he spent two seasons playing for the Cold Hearts of Overtime Elite in Atlanta, Georgia.

During the 2024-25 season with the Cold Hearts, Calderon averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. His production increased during the postseason, where he averaged 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds, including a 27-point performance in the opening playoff game.

OH MY GOODNESS SAMIS 🤯

WATCH HERE: https://t.co/Xr5SsQNHxT pic.twitter.com/WDquJc95a2

— Overtime Elite (@OvertimeElite) March 5, 2024

His performances helped him earn four star recruit status and attract interest from several major college basketball programs, including Auburn, Michigan, Tennessee and Kansas.

The forward ultimately committed to Kansas, joining the Jayhawks for the 2025-26 season. Before his arrival, Kansas head coach Bill Self praised the Brazilian forward’s versatility and potential.

“We feel his best ball is ahead of him,” the 2017 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Self said when Kansas announced Calderon’s signing in November of 2024. “He has great size at 6-foot-8 and he can play multiple positions on the perimeter. Samis has a really nice shooting touch that can stretch the defense.” 

During his freshman campaign with the Jayhawks, he appeared in 16 games, averaging 4.1 minutes per contest before transferring to Butler ahead of the 2026-27 season.

𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐄𝐃 ✍️

Welcome to the Jayhawks, Samis Calderon🔥 pic.twitter.com/dTu5h4EmU4

— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) November 13, 2024

Calderon’s decision to transfer to Butler also reunited him with fellow Brazilian Eduardo Klafke, whom he previously played alongside while representing their home country.

“Playing with Du again was one of the reasons I chose Butler,” Calderon told Tamela do 3 in an interview translated from Portuguese. “Du and I have a great relationship on and off the court.”

For Calderon, the reunion offers a familiar connection as he adjusts to a new program and continues building his collegiate career.

Now competing in the Big East Conference, Calderon, earning his first start of the season this past Friday night against Pittsburgh, contributed seven points and four rebounds despite the Bulldogs falling 76-64. 

From shining in Brazil to doing the same on the hardwood with the Butler Bulldogs @ButlerMBB sophomore forward Samis Calderon throws it down with a ferocious dunk to get Hinkle Fieldhouse rocking 

Visit https://t.co/rMmlz13ps7#CollegeHoops #ButlerWay #LatinoSports #Brazil… pic.twitter.com/dz2TeWhJUa

— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) November 14, 2026

His defensive ability has already caught the attention of Nored, who spoke about the forward’s impact following the loss.

“Samis does a great job defensively and gives us a lot of versatility,” Nored said, according to The Butler Collegian.

Beyond his collegiate career, Calderon’s basketball journey reflects his experience representing Brazil on the international stage.

From competing in youth tournaments for his home country to earning opportunities in Division I college basketball, Calderon has continued developing his game at each level.

As Butler moves forward under a new coaching staff, Calderon will look to build on his early opportunities while continuing his basketball journey as one of the Bulldogs’ Brazilian-born players.

Lanie Gatson is a journalist at Latino Sports as well as a reporter for Star City News. You can follow her on Instagram @LanieGatson and contact her at laniegatson@gmail.com. 

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