Surging Prep Enjoys NC State Basketball Tour After Landing UNC Offer
On Sunday evening, reports surfaced of the UNC basketball recruiting team officially extending an offer to Bishop McNamara School (Md.) forward and recent NBPA Top 100 standout Qayden Samuels. Now, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound rising senior is already fresh off a trip to Raleigh, where he checked out the NC State basketball program via an unofficial visit with Will Wade's Wolfpack.
ALSO READ: NC State Adding Exhibition Bout Against SEC Program
Samuels was at NC State on Wednesday, On3's Joe Tipton first reported on social media:
NC State hosted 2026's No. 15 overall recruit Qayden Samuels for an unofficial visit today, source told @On3Recruits.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) June 19, 2025
The 6-foot-5 wing led the NBPA Top-100 Camp in both points (26.4) and rebounds (9.8) last week.
Samuels is the younger brother of NC State women's basketball… pic.twitter.com/hfAZOlIqzV
And as Tipton noted in his report, Qayden Samuels' older sister just so happens to be one of this offseason's NC State women's basketball signees in UConn transfer Qadence Samuels. Perhaps that tie to the Wolfpack will give Will Wade & Co. an instant advantage in his recruitment should the program's new coaching staff decide to formally enter the mix with an offer of its own.
A five-star talent in the cycle, Qayden Samuels recently jumped two spots to No. 18 overall on the 247Sports 2026 Composite, marking a 15-notch climb from where he debuted in the rankings last June.
Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more NC State basketball recruiting news.
Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.