Samuels continues to emerge as one of the more intriguing guards in Washington’s 2030 class, combining explosive athleticism with an increasingly impressive understanding of the game. She’s developing into a confident floor general who reads defenses well, creates opportunities for teammates, and uses her quickness and strength to attack the basket. Her expanding offensive arsenal, including improved perimeter shooting and a crafty spin move, makes her a difficult matchup.

Defensively, Samuels is equally impactful, using her physicality, lateral quickness, and anticipation to disrupt opposing guards and generate turnovers.

Zuri Samuels Zuri Samuels 5'5" Foster | 2030 State WA is a guard who brings an immediate spark to the floor, but her impact goes well beyond energy and defensive pressure. She is an extremely quick and physical defender who isn’t afraid of contact and can make life difficult for opposing guards from the opening possession. Whether she’s pressuring the ball, jumping passing lanes or creating turnovers in the press, Zuri has a natural feel for disrupting an offense and turning defense into transition opportunities.

During the 5v5 games at the WA Freshman Showcase, Zuri really stood out as a floor general. She did an excellent job making sure the right players had the ball and consistently looked to get her teammates involved. She shares the ball well and uses ball screens effectively, reading the defense and making the right decision—either dishing to a teammate when help comes or attacking the basket herself. Zuri has the athleticism and speed to blow past defenders when she sees an opening, and her strength allows her to finish through contact and physicality at the rim. She plays with pace, showing a growing level of poise and composure as a lead guard.

What continues to impress me most is how much Zuri is developing. Each time I watch her, her basketball IQ appears stronger, and she is becoming more confident in her ability to lead and control the game. After a tremendous summer with the NW Greyhounds Adidas 3SSB program, she has continued to expand her offensive game, including the ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc and use her spin move to create opportunities inside.

Zuri’s combination of defensive intensity, athleticism, strength, court vision, unselfish play and continued growth makes her one of the 2030 players I will be watching closely.

Zuri Samuels Zuri Samuels 5'5" Foster | 2030 State WA is a spark plug in every sense of the word. She brings relentless energy to every possession, particularly on the defensive end, where her quickness, toughness and fearlessness make her a point guard’s worst nightmare. Zuri will pressure the ball for all 94 feet, never backing down from contact or allowing an opponent to get comfortable.

Her instincts make her equally effective in the press from multiple positions, including the back of the press, where her ability to anticipate passes allows her to create turnovers and ignite transition. A member of the NW Greyhounds Adidas 3SSB program, Zuri had a tremendous summer and made significant strides as both a player and floor general. Offensively, she can get hot from beyond the arc and has a strong spin move to create opportunities inside. Her relentless motor, defensive instincts and growing offensive game make Zuri one of the 2030 players to watch.