By Emma Bynes
@emma_bynes4
Qandace and Qayden Samuels have always been a tight knit duo. The pair are in the middle of seven siblings and both ranked within the top 25 of their respective high school classes at Bishop McNamara — Qandace is the eighth ranked recruit in the junior class and Qayden is the No. 22 player in the senior class, per ESPN. Qandace, a junior and the younger of the two, says they push each other in every aspect of life.
“Just because he’s a boy — it doesn’t mean nothing,” Qandace said. “He’ll still push me however he wants as if I was an equal.”
The family based in Maryland has a rich legacy in basketball that is brewing. Older sister Qadence won a national championship at the University of Connecticut before transferring to NC State. Qwanzi Junior., the oldest of them all, plays professionally overseas. Their closest sibling, Aleah Rodriguez, plays at the junior college level for Community College of Baltimore County. The legacy of the Samuels bunch is already in safe hands — but Qandace and Qayden might be the best of them all.
“Yeah, we play each other one on one and do workouts together,” said Qayden. When asked if she’s ever beaten him — both had a different answer. Qandace said “We just troll a lot. We’re very funny.”
Mom and dad, Shanda and Qwanzi Senior, knew these two were special from the start. They picked up a basketball extremely early on and while watching their older siblings play — it seemed like top ranked college basketball was just moments away for the Samuels family once again.
Opening Panini Hoophall Classic play for the siblings was Qandace, who played in Friday’s all girls’ slate, and dropped 21 points, 12 rebounds and five steals, including the game winner in the final three seconds of play. Two days later, Qayden sat on the sideline to support Bishop McNamara’s boys team while he recovers from a broken foot. The older of the two stood up nearly the entire game cheering on his teammates.
“It’s all love,” said Qayden. “It’s about giving back and hyping up my teammates.”
As for recruitment, Qandace isn’t sure where she’s looking yet. However, as a senior five star, Qayden has offers and is focusing on Alabama and Georgetown. He will certainly make his decision “within the next month” as his final semester is coming to a close.
He’s eyeing a Maryland private school championship along with Qandace, whose team won last year. Once he and Qandace graduate, their legacy will be continued by sisters Alana Rodriguez and Qaylynn Samuels — who has already appeared in Sports Illustrated as a 12 year old.
After talking to many members of the family, one aspect is clear. This Samuels group is competitive, talented and eager to prove themselves. Fans are anxiously awaiting to see both Qandace and Qayden at the collegiate level — and they seem to have their pick of top programs.
Photo by Emma Bynes/The Student