It was a long wait, but 5-star wing Qayden Samuels announced his commitment to Alabama basketball on Wednesday, choosing the Crimson Tide over hometown Georgetown.
Samuels was predicted to land in Alabama's class back in the fall, but his recruitment dragged out further than most expected. Samuels took an official visit to Alabama back in October, and that brought on a lot of smoke that his commitment was inevitable.
That smoke grew stronger when Chris Washington Jr. decommitted from Alabama in November, which most took as a signal that Alabama was in a good spot with Samuels.
The pull of staying home was strong, but finding the right system fit was stronger, and Samuels lands in a perfect spot to take advantage of his immense skills.
NEWS: 2026 Top-25 overall recruit Qayden Samuels has committed to Alabama, source told @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) January 28, 2026
The 6-6 wing chose the Tide over Georgetown, but received blue blood offers from UConn, Kentucky, and North Carolina. https://t.co/dO2Pi8jeCN pic.twitter.com/EFEy475skp
5-star SF Qayden Samuels commits to Alabama over Georgetown
Samuels is a composite 5-star and the No. 22 overall player in the 2026 class, per the 247 composite. He joins an Alabama recruiting class that already featured four-star wing Tarris Bouie, who signed with the Crimson Tide during the fall's early signing period.
And Alabama may not be done in the high school class.
The Crimson Tide is a finalist for 5-star guard Caleb Holt, who ranks as a top-five player in the 2026 class. The Alabama native may not make his decision until after the college basketball season, but if Oats can reel him in, then this three-man class will rival any in the country.
Oats has frequently landed elite players out of the high school ranks during his time in Tuscaloosa, combining with Preston Murphy to form one of the elite recruiting duos in the nation.
Samuels is one of the premier scorers in high school. 247's Adam Finkelstein notes on his scouting report that Samuels shot 38% on off-the-dribble threes during last summer's Nike EYBL circuit. He was also lethal off ball screens, scoring in the 98th percentile on that circuit.
While he has a ways to go as a playmaker and offensive initiator, he's the exact type of 3-and-D wing that Oats covets. Alabama runs a free-flowing system that will allow Samuels to make mistakes and grow.
He should be an instant impact player for Alabama next season.