By ZACH SMART
NEWARK, N.J. — During a spirited fourth quarter rally en route to a come-from-behind 68-61 victory over Bergen Catholic, Class of 2026 Bishop McNamara wing Qayden Samuels scored 16 of his game-best 30 points in the Iverson Classic Blackout Series in New Jersey.
The steady onslaught occurred with constant surges to the rim and timely layups, as the long 6-foot-5 lefty was able to dissect Bergen Catholic’s defense. Samuels connected on a trio of 3-pointers and was 5-for-5 from the free throw line.
“They were leaving me open,” said Samuels, who cited Georgetown, Rutgers, Villanova, Washington, Syracuse, Alabama, and Florida State as the programs he’s hearing from most consistently. Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell was in attendance for the game.
“I was able to get to the rim a lot in the fourth quarter,” Samuels added. “Shooting-wise, I think I shoot the ball really well as a floor spreader. I’ve got a lot of patience in getting the right look and looking for the right shot. We had to lock in on defense tonight. Getting stops and just playing together was what (led us to the victory).”
Samuels has accumulated offers from Maryland, Providence, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Georgia, and a handful of others. A returning First Team All-WCAC player on a McNamara team teeming with young talent, Samuels says he looks to utilize his offensive uniqueness as a versatile big guard/wing in his favor the most.
“Being a bigger guy, it’s a great advantage to have,” Samuels said. “I’m able to see over my defender a lot. If a defender is smaller than me, I can post them up. If it is a bigger defender, I can go right by them and use my quickness.”
Samuels was offered by Georgetown on June 21st of last year, shortly after his campus visit. He’s been hearing consistently from the Hoyas while taking advantage of an Open Door Policy with the program, as he often stops by practice and gets shots up.
Samuels has also had consistent communication with Rutgers, as he continues to build the relationship with their staff.
Samuels erupted on national level this summer. During the Capital Hoops All Star game, he scored 19 points (6-for-13 FG, 3-for-8 3FG, 4-4 FT). In a marquee and memorable showing during the DC Live event, as he turned in a commendable 28-point performance on the strength of 10-for-18 shooting.
His three-level scoring prowess and knack for spacing the floor out, by way of his patented step-back jumper and corner and straight away 3-point shot, continued during NBPA Top 100 Camp.
Samuels has been able to thrive in one-on-one situations, utilizing tools such as a mid-range pull-up, smooth step-back, and a floater which he has recently incorporated into his repertoire.
We caught up with Samuels, who broke down a number of the schools which are currently in most active pursuit of him:
Georgetown: “I hear from them the most. Coach (Ed) Cooley, coach (Kenny) Johnson, it is basically the entire staff recruiting me. They contact me after every game, give me feedback on how I play. They try to help me improve on what I do best. They are looking to get me over there and have me play as a wing, giving me the freedom to do what I do. I’m going to the game [Saturday] against UConn. I live really only 20-30 minutes from practice. With how they let me come to games, come to practice, I really feel like I am being recruited hard by them.”
Rutgers: “They are looking to schedule a visit with me so I can be on campus either by next month or for the summer. I speak with coach (TJ) Thompson. He’s also a DC guy. They want to follow in the footsteps of Ace (Bailey) and Dylan (Harper). I’m actually from New Jersey originally. The campus is not that far from where I grew up in the South Jersey area, near Camden. They want me to just keep play the way I’m playing, to be a leader.”
Villanova: “I’ve been in contact with (head coach) Kyle Neptune. I visited there earlier. They are basically just telling me how I can use my strength, use my versatility to help them. I saw they just beat UConn recently. With my ability to shoot the ball and coming off screens, I think I can see myself out there in that system. I enjoyed my visit for sure. I went to practice, and there was just a lot of energy out there. They really get after it.”
Syracuse: “I think they are going to have me on a visit up there soon. I’ve been speaking a lot with (assistant coach) Brendan Straughn. He’s telling me that he likes my game a lot, that I’m one of his favorites. He contacts me before each of my games. I think I can really fit in their system and be myself, play my game.”
Photo: @EliteHSShooting
Follow Zach Smart on Twitter
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram
And Like ZAGS on Facebook
