Terrence Samuel Stays True to ‘Dream School’

Had a chance to speak to Terrence Samuel, one of UConn’s two commits for next season. Samuel, a guard from South Shore High in Brooklyn, said he had long dreamed of coming to UConn – to play quarterback for the football team.

But a few years ago, at his mother’s urging, he left football behind to concentrate on basketball behind and attended South Shore, where he played a large part in turning a losing program around, as his coach, Michael Beckles, pointed out here a while back. Then the dream became following Kemba Walker’s path from New York City to UConn.

Though UConn changed coaches a couple of weeks after Samuel’s commit, signing Kevin Ollie for one season,  he has remained rock solid, changing his twitter handle to @TsamuelUconn. As he traveled home from First Night on Oct. 12, he tweeted, “I love this coaching staff!”

“No, I never had any doubts,” Samuel said. “Coach Ollie is a great guy, he has always made me feel comfortable. UConn is where I want to go. … [First Night] was very exciting. I got there a little late, but the crowd was great – the whole atmosphere was great.”

As to whether he will sign his letter of intent in November, or wait until spring, Samuel said, “That’s the plan  [to sign in November], but I will talk to my family and decide what’s best. … I’m confident coach Ollie will get the job [permanently]. I know he’s going to do a great job.”

On Nov. 24, South Shore will play a scrimmage at Long Island Lutheran, against Kentan Facey, UConn’s other commit. Samuel and Facey were teammates on The Rens, an New York AAU team. “He’s a guy who can block a lot of shots,” Samuel said, “and he can hit the little 15-footer.”