NBA bound? Here’s what TCU’s Kevin Samuel is saying about his looming draft decision
At 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, TCU center Kevin Samuel has the size and potential to play in the NBA one day. He tested the draft waters last offseason before opting to return for a redshirt sophomore season to further his development.
Now, a year later, will he continue his development as a junior next season at TCU?
“I’m not sure yet,” Samuel said. “I’ll talk with the coaches about it and talk to my people about it and see what’s best for me to do.”
As of now, the NBA is accepting applications to the Undergraduate Advisory Committee, which provides feedback to players on potential draft stock. The deadline for players to apply is April 16, although that is subject to change amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Players must apply if they want to “test the waters” and then return to college upon receiving feedback. The NBA draft is currently set for June 20.
Samuel took strides this season, leading the Big 12 with 85 blocked shots. He also had career-bests with averages of 10 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest in 32 starts.
For the season, Samuel had 11 double-doubles, highlighted by a career night with 24 points and 18 rebounds in TCU’s loss at Arkansas in the Big 12/ SEC Challenge on Jan. 25.
More than his improvements on the floor, Samuel also emerged as one of the leaders of the team alongside senior Desmond Bane.
“I’ve always been one of the quiet guys, but I really worked on communicating and becoming a leader this season,” Samuel said. “I feel like it’s helped me grow a lot.”
TCU, of course, would like to see Samuel become even more of a leader next season. Similar to Samuel, Bane also flirted with the idea of going to the NBA last offseason before opting to return.
It likely paid off for Bane, who ranked as the Big 12’s top 3-point threat this season. Bane plans to talk about the decision with Samuel in the coming days.
“I’ll just see where he’s at,” Bane said. “It’ll come down to whatever the best decision is for him and his family.”
As far as his decision to return, Bane has no regrets.
“I hope I built some leadership credibility,” Bane said. “We didn’t win like we needed to, but I feel I led well throughout the year.”
For Samuel, there is plenty of growth he can make on the court with another college season.
Two clear-cut areas are at the free-throw line, where he shot just 37.8%, and playing more technically sound to limit his proneness for early foul trouble.
Samuel acknowledged those two areas must improve, and also mentioned he’s focused on getting stronger this offseason.
“Just to help battle these big dudes,” Samuel said. “Working on my body is something I’ll do in the offseason.”
In the meantime, though, Samuel is like the rest of the country in monitoring the coronavirus pandemic. He’s staying in Fort Worth, rather than returning to the Caribbean and his native Codrington Village in Barbuda.
Samuel said he’s heard of only one case of coronavirus in Barbuda, but said the country has shut down youth-league sports for the remainder of the spring.
“Just taking it one day at a time like everyone else,” Samuel said.
