Samuel Cole, a rising star guard in the class of 2024 and starting point guard at P.S.A.T. Academy, is planning to shift the narrative surrounding his name with a pivotal junior season.
Although he‘s currently ranked a respectable 49th in the city according to OTR’s c/o 2024 list, Samuel is not “one to worry about rankings” and won’t allow them to alter his belief that he truly is one of the best guards 2024 has to offer.
Though inevitable, Cole adds that rankings are “Just politics” and ultimately have no impact on his mentality or approach to the game.
With the help of his teammates and coaches, Samuel plans to send one message to both scouts and the City of Houston this season: It’s time to wake up.
This week, Paperboy met with Samuel to discuss his mentality, work ethic, goals, and more.
PB: Do you consider yourself to be overlooked by scouts?
SC: I feel like I am very overlooked. [I’m] just as good as all of these other guys receiving attention, but my time will come soon.
PB: How would you best describe your game?
SC: I can best describe my game as different; I feel like I’m the smartest one on the court at all times. I also feel like there’s not very many weaknesses to my game, and when I get in my zone there’s not much anyone can do [to stop me].
PB: What has training with NBA players taught you, and how has it shifted your outlook on basketball?
SC: Training with these [players] has been a blessing. I’m blessed to be able to train with them. They show me that there is still so much I can learn about the game that I don’t know about. I feel like not everyone in my class has this opportunity so I have to make the most of it and ask as many questions as I can.
PB: Would you say that your social media presence brings more attention to your game?
SC: I believe it has. I don’t usually like to stay on social media, especially now as I’m attempting to take my game to the next level, but it’s a great place to market yourself and make money off of your name. I would recommend it to every athlete, as you aren’t letting it distract you from your game.
PB: Can you speak on your influences? What players have you modeled your game after?
SC: I used to watch film on Sharife Cooper and Chris Paul, but recently I have been starting to get into more shiftier players like Robert Dillingham and Dug McDaniel at Michigan. Despite their height they still find ways to make defenses annoyed.
PB: What is your all-time favorite “hoop shoe”
SC: Definitely Kobe’s, which in my opinion are the lightest hoop shoe…Kyries have been getting my approval too, but overall, I’m a Kobe fan.
PB: In your opinion, who are the best 3 artists for a mixtape?
SC: Drake, Yeat, and Nardo Wick as of now. Drake is definitely Top 1, though.
PB: What have been the hardest parts of your basketball journey?
SC: The hardest part of my journey was definitely around February of last school year; I was in a really bad position school-wise and struggled with bad mental health issues…just letting my thoughts get to me and not having control over them. It felt like no one in my circle really believed in me and wanted me to settle for less. Fortunately, I found the right people and made the change to a new school, with a new coach who believes in me, and players that I can call my brothers.
Delivered by Cullen Avent
