Basketball prospect Qandace Samuels announced on Nov. 10, 2026, that she has committed to play for the Texas Longhorns, choosing coach Vic Schaefer’s program over LSU, Virginia Tech, and Rutgers, USA Today reported.
The 6-foot-2 guard is ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the class of 2027 by ESPN, while USA Today Sports lists her at No. 11 in its composite rankings.
“It checked every box for me,” Samuels told ESPN. “Most importantly, I believe Texas has everything it takes to win a national championship, and I’m confident I can play a major role in helping bring that championship to Texas.”
The commitment lands another elite talent for a Texas program coming off back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances. Despite deep tournament runs under Schaefer, the Longhorns are seeking their first national championship title since 1986, as noted by USA Today.
Samuels arrives alongside fellow five-star commitment Jayla Forbes, securing another top-rated recruiting class for the program following a 2026 class that featured four five-star players and ranked No. 3 nationally. Samuels offers quality size on the perimeter, combining long-range shooting with the ability to attack from the wing and score through contact.
Basketball remains a central fixture in the Samuels household, with multiple siblings competing at the NCAA Division I level. Older sister Qadence Samuels won an NCAA national championship with UConn in 2025 before transferring to NC State, while older brother Qayden Samuels plays as a freshman guard at Alabama after ranking as the No. 31 player in the 2026 SC Next 100.
During her high school career at Bishop McNamara High School in Maryland, Samuels helped capture consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships in 2025 and 2026. She posted 18 points and 12 rebounds against Bishop Ireton in a 59-45 victory last season, alongside averages of 19.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.9 steals on the EYBL circuit with Team Takeover.
