Samuels and Skyers D1 Move
Putnam Science has been a consistent pipeline for Division 1 talent over the past two decades, and this year was no different, with the recent commitments of Jordan Skyers and Kamai Samuels. This season, both guards played key roles in helping propel Putnam to a Final Four run in the National Prep Championship.
Next year, Skyers will attend Norfolk State, and Samuels will take his talents to Tennessee Tech.
Both players' journeys represent perseverance, hard work, and development that have paid off with the chance to play at the next level. I had the chance to hear more from each player and gain more insights into their path.
Skyer's commitment carries significant weight for the HBCU basketball landscape across the country, as Norfolk State secures the highest-rated recruit in school history. Head Coach Robert Jones has built a nice reputation for the Spartans with three NCAA appearances since the COVID era.
Skyers started his high school career at Cardinal Hayes in the Bronx and also played on the EYBL circuit with the NY Rens. His time there helped him establish a strong reputation throughout the New York area.
During his Sophomore year, he transitioned to play for OTE and the OSL Jelly Fam for two seasons and was a highly touted player in that league. In his first year, he averaged almost 10 points, and he began to make a name for himself nationally.
His second year with Jelly Fam was when his game started to break out, and he started to catch more national recognition. He feels that OTE helped him take “basketball way more seriously,” and he added, “I learned to build a better work ethic.”
As a result, he averaged 12 points and 2 steals, and his game started to take the shape of an elite combo guard. Some notable performances were 27 points against Blue Checks and 20 against Cold Hearts. Defensively, he had 5 steals against RWE and 6 against Diamond Doves.
Skyers described his game as “a three-level scorer that can defend and rebound,” which is what will help to set him apart at the next stage. The energy he plays with elevates his game and forces his teammates to try to match that energy.
After facing Putnam Science throughout his time with the Jelly Fam, Skyers decided to transition to the Mustangs for his senior year. His time here has added “more structure, and it's been a longer season,” which has helped prepare him for college basketball.
His decision was fueled by his relationship with Coach Jones, and “going on a visit, I fell in love with the school and the beautiful culture there.” He is excited to be a part of a welcoming community and represent them on the court.
Before getting ready to move down to Virginia, Skyers wants to improve his “pace and understanding of the game,” while he also added, “getting stronger and making sure my body is 100% healthy.”
Samuels started his high school journey as one of the best guards in the class of 2026 out of Canada. Over his time, he has played for Canada’s national team, helping lead them to a silver medal in the 2023 AmeriCup.
During his junior year, he was in LA at SoCal Academy and then played for Uplay Canada for AAU in the Spring and Summer. When asked who some of his most impactful coaches were, he mentioned “ Coach Julius V”, the head coach at SoCal Academy. He helped him solidify his game, and he learned to play the game at a higher level.
Playing for Canada’s U16 team in 2023 was “a memorable experience I'll carry with me forever,” which is an important takeaway from that time. He averaged 10.5 points and 7 rebounds, helping Canada to a 5-1 record throughout the tournament.
Their single loss was to the USA, whose roster featured AJ Dybansta, Darryn Peterson, Cam, and Cayden Boozer, as well as Tyran Stokes and Caleb Holt. Samuels was able to play the game with some of the best for his age in the world, and it only helped his game grow as a whole.
“It helped me showcase my talents on a bigger stage,” and allowed him to gain the exposure he needed, and he added, “It exposed me to different talents across North America.” Playing in this environment added to his knowledge and exposure within the game.
After his time in LA, he went across the country and joined Putnam Science for this past season. He played a big role as a three-level scoring threat at the guard spot, and he can defend the perimeter at a high level.
“Playing for Coach Espo, you learn that every minute you're on the court should be impactful,” and that has been the key to their success in the recent past. This is a valuable trait that Samuels will look to take to both ends of the court at the next level. His mindset on the court is “trust your work and make winning plays.”
Looking to the future, Samuels has committed to Tennessee Tech under the new head coach, Tobin Anderson. “Coach Tobin came to see me play in the fall and loved my game,” and that eventually led to him getting “the head coaching job, and the situation was perfect.” He fits Tobin’s past styles and should be able to make a quick impact as a freshman on campus.
Next year will be exciting for these programs as they are getting high-level players who have the ability to make an impact immediately and be a part of strong communities. They have done so in New England with their dominant season and the impact they had on that success.
Kamai Samuels
Jordan Skyers