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Add another name to the UNC basketball program's Class of 2026 interest list

North Carolina is reportedly jumping into the mix for this five-star prospect from the Class of 2026.
ByNick Delahanty|
Mar 20, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis watches team workout during NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Mar 20, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis watches team workout during NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Recruiting for the Class of 2026 is rapidly heating up, as there's a new name that fans of the UNC basketball program should be keeping their eye on.

According to Sam Kayser of League Ready, North Carolina and Kentucky are two of the latest schools to jump into the sweepstakes for Class of 2026 five-star talent Qayden Samuels.

Samuels is a 6-foot-5, 200-pound small forward from District Heights, Maryland. A standout from Bishop McNamara High School, Samuel currently ranks as 247Sports' No. 20 overall prospect in the Class of 2026 as well as the top player from the state of Maryland.

The left-handed shooting talent has over 20 offers already, including some from the likes of Alabama, Kansas, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas and UConn (to name a few). Given this news, it might not be long before North Carolina swoops in with an offer of its own.

Samuels has been ballin' on the EYBL circuit thus far this summer, averaging an impressive 21.2 points per game.

Adam Finkelstein, the Director of Scouting at 247Sports, believes that Samuels might just be the best in this class in terms of creating offense for themselves.

"Samuels is a long lefty wing with an aggressive scoring mentality. While he plays with extreme high volume and can really hunt his shots at times, there are few players in the national class more equipped to create their own offense on demand. He has a high release point, both in the mid-range area and behind the arc, that requires minimal separation, but is going to need to learn to pick his spots and become a more willing passer. He came up the ranks as a young player who would handle to create space for his pull-ups, more so than to get paint touches, but is now starting to put more pressure on the rim. He has floaters in his arsenal and goes right into contact at the rim, but could add a little more finishing craft when going chest-to-chest with opposing shot-blockers isn’t most effective. Physically, he’s not a naturally dynamic athlete or mover, but has made strides in those areas and also has a 6-foot-11 to help him compensate on the defensive end of the floor."

The UNC basketball program has already been aggressive with regard to recruiting the Class of 2026, as they've already extended offers to 10 different prospects from this group. It might not be long before the 11th offer is extended, as Qayden Samuels is starting to earn some well-earned recognition on the recruiting trail.

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