5-Star Qayden Samuels, A recruitment battle: Alabama vs. Georgetown is shaping up as the headliner
One of the most dangerous scorers in the 2026 class, Qayden Samuels has turned himself into a consensus top-20 national prospect out of Bishop McNamara (MD) with the kind of shot-making that travels to any level. Listed around 6’5–6’6 and ~200 pounds, Samuels has built a reputation on the Nike EYBL circuit with Team Takeover as a wing who can change a game in a hurry and his recruitment has begun to narrow with Alabama and Georgetown sitting firmly in the middle of it.
Game breakdown: a lefty scorer who can heat up in bunches
Samuels’ calling card is simple: he puts points on the board at volume. Evaluators describe him as a “volume scoring lefty wing” who’s comfortable hunting his offense and making tough shots from multiple spots on the floor. He’s especially dangerous when he gets to his pull-up.
What makes him more than “just a scorer” is how he creates those looks:
Ball screens + movement shooting: Samuels has shown real comfort coming off ball screensand getting to his pull-up or floater game, a big reason he’s been productive on the EYBL stage.
Rim pressure with strength: He’s naturally strong with length and will attack downhill, looking to finish through contact, even if there are moments where more craft and selectivity would elevate his efficiency.
Three-level threat: One of EYBL’s top scorers, highlighting his high-volume production and ability to score from deep, mid-range, and at the rim.
Defensively, the upside is there. Scouts have pointed to flashes of him being an active defender and rebounder, with consistency and motor on that end being the swing skill that can separate him as he gets closer to decision time.
Recruitment: two visits, two programs, one major decision coming
Samuels hasn’t publicly “cut” his list in an official way everywhere, but Alabama and Georgetown are the two programs he’s feeling the most as he hones in on a decision.
Georgetown
Georgetown has been aggressive with Samuels and hosted him on an official visit (reported for early September 2025). The Hoyas’ staff, headlined by Ed Cooley, has prioritized high-end perimeter talent, and Samuels fits the mold as a wing who can create shots late-clock and provide instant offense.
Alabama
Alabama is equally involved and brought Samuels in for an official visit (reported for early October 2025). Under Nate Oats, the Tide have leaned into modern spacing, pace, and three-point volume—an environment that naturally complements a wing scorer who can shoot it off the bounce and punish switches.
The fit: why each makes sense
Why Alabama: Space + tempo + freedom. Samuels’ pull-up game and downhill attacking become even harder to guard when the floor is spread and the pace stays high, exactly the ecosystem Alabama has built.
Why Georgetown: A chance to be the guy on the wing. Georgetown’s pitch is easy to understand, Samuels’ shot creation and three-level scoring can translate into featured opportunities, and his physical profile gives him room to grow into a complete two-way piece.
What to watch next
The biggest indicator with Samuels will be whether his defense/rebounding consistency catches up to his scoring production, because the offense is already high-major ready. With official visits logged to both Georgetown and Alabama and multiple reports suggesting those two are the primary focus, Samuels’ decision timeline is one to keep a close eye on in the 2026 cycle.
Written by Alex Karamanos / December 29, 2025