UNC Turns Up the Heat on Rising Star Qayden Samuels as Five-Star Wing Explodes in 2026 Rankings
The UNC basketball program is widening its 2026 recruiting lens—and one of the hottest names on the board is five-star wing Qayden Samuels.
Although the Bishop McNamara (Md.) standout hasn’t officially announced a Tar Heels offer on social media, buzz is building fast. With his recent standout performances against elite competition, Samuels is now reportedly on the radar of both UNC and Kentucky, adding to a growing list of over 20 major programs showing serious interest.
At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Samuels is a dynamic left-handed scorer and relentless rebounder who’s skyrocketed up the rankings. Currently ranked No. 20 overall, No. 8 among small forwards, and the No. 1 player in Maryland (via the 247Sports 2026 Composite), his stock has surged by 13 spots in the last year—now firmly in five-star territory. ESPN recently bumped him up to No. 10 in its 2026 Top 100.
Samuels has been lighting it up in grassroots play, averaging 21.2 points per game for Team Takeover in the Nike EYBL. He also led all players in scoring and rebounding at last week’s NBPA Top 100 Camp—yet another indicator that his game translates against the best.
According to Pro Insight, Samuels has drawn eyes with his “multi-level shotmaking” that includes polished step-backs, pull-ups, and spot-up shooting. His all-around game was on full display in Rock Hill, S.C., where UNC head coach Hubert Davis was among the high-profile coaches in attendance.
Also hearing from programs like Alabama, Syracuse, Villanova, Texas, Washington, and Georgetown, Samuels’ recruitment is heating up fast—and don’t be surprised if a UNC offer is on the way soon.
Tar Heel fans: this is a name you’ll want to remember.
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