Men's Basketball Signs Qayden Samuels to 2026 Recruiting Class
1/30/2026 11:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Crimson Tide signs the No. 18 player in the class of 2026
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Head coach Nate Oats announced the signing of Qayden Samuels, the first signee of the 2026 recruiting class for Alabama men's basketball.Â
Qayden Samuels | 6-6 | District Heights, Md. (Bishop McNamara High School)
- Ranked as a four-star recruit, the No. 6 ranked small forward and the No. 18 player overall by 247
- Tabbed as the No. 2 recruit from the state of Maryland
- Ranked 10th in scoring on the 2025 EYBL Circuit, scoring 20 points per game while shooting over 40 percent from three-point range for Team Takeover
- A 2026 McDonald's All-American nominee
- Participated in the NBPA Top 100 Camp this summer, averaging 26.4 points and 9.8 rebounds in five contests
- Attended the 2025 USA Basketball Fall MinicampÂ
- A First Team All-WCAC selectionÂ
- Set the Bishop McNamara school record for most points scored in a game with 45
Nate Oats on Qayden Samuels: "Qayden Samuels is an electric scorer and has proven himself to be one of the best scorers in the country. Qayden is a very good athlete, who plays above the rim and makes good plays with the ball in his hands. We are elated to sign one of the most sought-after players in the country."
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