"My family was going to support either decision. When I went to Alabama, I loved the school. I met with the trainers, academic staff, and the athletic director, and I felt a strong connection. Nate Oats has been recruiting me and offered me since I was a sophomore. Georgetown and coach [Ed] Cooley have also recruited me for a long time. I have a high respect for the Georgetown program and Coach Cooley."
"Alabama has all the resources; they're building a new practice facility. During my visit, Coach Oats spent a lot of time with me, and we really connected. Watching him in practice, he is very focused and intense, but he never gets too high or too low. Their play style of shooting threes, layups and free throws fits my game ... I believe it's a program and place where I can go and have the opportunity to become a pro."
Qayden Samuels, a 6-foot-5 small forward from Bishop McNamara High School (Maryland), committed to Alabama over Georgetown. Samuels visited both schools in the fall and delayed his decision past the early signing period. The October visit to Tuscaloosa produced a strong relationship with coach Nate Oats and an in-person look at Oats' focused, intense coaching style. Alabama's resources and a new practice facility appealed to Samuels, as did a play style emphasizing threes, layups and free throws. Samuels averaged 20.4 points and 9.6 rebounds on the Nike EYBL circuit and led the NBPA Top 100 camp in scoring with 26.4 points, despite missing time this season with a foot injury.
Read at ESPN.com
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