Jermaine Samuels Jr.
Jermaine Samuels Jr. (born November 13, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the San Pablo Burgos of the Spanish Liga ACB. Standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and listed at 239 lb (108 kg), he plays the power forward position. Samuels first gained national attention as a member of the Villanova Wildcats, where he was part of the 2018 NCAA Division I championship team. After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, he built his professional resume through the NBA G League before taking his game overseas to Spain.
Early Life and Background
Jermaine Samuels Jr. was born on November 13, 1998, in Franklin, Massachusetts. He is the son of Jermaine Samuels Sr. and Taihish. Growing up in Franklin, Samuels experienced a major growth spurt between ages 12 and 13, jumping from 5 ft 9 in to 6 ft 3 in. That sudden change helped him begin dunking a basketball at age 13 and set the stage for his future in the sport.
He attended The Rivers School in Weston, Massachusetts, where he was coached by Andrew Mirken and also played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for Expressions Elite. As a freshman, Samuels averaged 19 points per game. A knee injury during his sophomore year required surgery and roughly six months of recovery, but he bounced back strongly. In his senior season he averaged 17.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game and was named First Team All-USA Massachusetts by USA Today.
Samuels committed to Villanova in November 2016, turning down offers from Indiana, Duke, Kansas, UConn, Georgetown, Arizona State, and California. ESPN ranked him the 52nd overall recruit in his high school class. He is regarded as one of the top athletes to come out of Franklin, Massachusetts, alongside Olympian Kristie Kirshe.
Path to Professional Basketball
Samuels joined the Villanova Wildcats in 2017 and developed into a dependable forward over five collegiate seasons. As a freshman on the 2017–18 squad, he averaged 1.1 points and 1.2 rebounds per game while learning his role. The team captured the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, and although Samuels missed the tournament victories over West Virginia and Texas Tech due to a fractured left hand, he was part of the championship roster.
Across his Villanova career, Samuels grew from a limited-role freshman into a go-to scorer and leader. He earned Preseason Second Team All-Big East recognition going into his junior year and was named to the preseason Julius Erving Award watchlist before his senior season. In his fifth and final year, he was named the NCAA Tournament South Region Most Outstanding Player after leading Villanova to the Final Four.
Jermaine Samuels Jr. Career
Early Career at Villanova (2017–2020)
Samuels opened his collegiate career in 2017–18 and posted a season-high 11 points in a 103–85 win against DePaul on December 27, 2017, before fracturing his left hand in the same game. He returned to action in February 2018 but struggled for consistent minutes and did not play in the NCAA Tournament victories over West Virginia and Texas Tech. Still, he finished his freshman year as a member of the Villanova team that won the 2018 national championship.
As a sophomore, Samuels scored a season-high 29 points in a 67–61 win over Marquette on February 27, 2019, and added 12 points and seven rebounds in an NCAA Tournament win over Saint Mary’s. He helped Villanova post a 26–10 record and win the Big East Conference, averaging 6.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the season. In his junior year, he averaged 10.7 points and 5.5 rebounds, was named Second Team All-Big 5, and delivered key shots including a game-winning three-point play in a 70–69 win over Georgetown on March 7, 2020.
Senior and Super-Senior Seasons (2020–2022)
During the 2020 offseason, Samuels worked on his decision-making and three-point shooting while navigating limited practice access caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. His senior campaign featured a career-high 32 points, along with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals, in an 84–74 win over Georgetown on February 7, 2021. He averaged 12 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, earning All-Big East Honorable Mention recognition before announcing he would return for a fifth season of eligibility.
In his fifth and final year at Villanova in 2021–22, Samuels averaged 11.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, leading the team in rebounds and ranking third in scoring. On December 21, 2021, he surpassed the 1,000-point threshold in an 84–74 win over Xavier. He elevated his play in the postseason, averaging 14 points and 8.6 rebounds across the Big East and NCAA Tournaments, with key contributions against UConn, Michigan, and Houston. Against Michigan he tallied 22 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and an assist in a 63–55 Elite Eight victory. His play earned him the NCAA Tournament South Region Most Outstanding Player award.
Fort Wayne Mad Ants Era (2022–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Samuels signed with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League on October 24, 2022. He spent the 2022–23 season in Fort Wayne, adjusting to the pace and physicality of the professional game while continuing to expand his offensive game.
Houston Rockets and Rio Grande Valley Vipers Era (2023–2025)
On August 2, 2023, Samuels signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets of the NBA and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League. On July 4, 2024, he signed a standard contract with the Rockets, but he was waived on October 19 of that year. He rejoined the Vipers on October 27 and was later selected for the 2024 NBA G League Next Up Game.
San Pablo Burgos Era (2025–Present)
On August 21, 2025, Samuels signed with the San Pablo Burgos of the Spanish Liga ACB, taking his game to one of Europe’s top professional leagues. The move gave him the chance to compete internationally and continue his development against experienced European veterans. He wears jersey number 00 for the club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Samuels is a versatile power forward who uses his 6 ft 6 in frame and strong basketball IQ to contribute across the floor. He has developed a reliable outside shot to pair with his work on the boards, and his career-high 32-point performance shows his scoring upside. Coaches have praised his decision-making, three-point shooting, and willingness to make the extra pass, traits that allowed him to lead Villanova in rebounds during his final season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Samuels’ signature collegiate moment came during the 2022 NCAA Tournament, when he powered Villanova to the Final Four and was named the South Region Most Outstanding Player. He also helped the United States win bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, averaging 9.4 points per game and scoring nine in the medal game against the Dominican Republic. In 2024, he earned a selection to the NBA G League Next Up Game.
Jermaine Samuels Jr. Career Wins and Awards
Jermaine Samuels Jr. has collected several team and individual honors across his playing career. His most prominent achievement is the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship won with Villanova. He has also been recognized at the conference, regional, and international levels.
College Achievements
Samuels helped Villanova win the 2018 NCAA Division I championship as a freshman and the Big East Conference title in 2018–19. He was a Second Team All-Big 5 selection in 2019–20 and earned All-Big East Honorable Mention recognition in 2020–21. His senior year was capped by the NCAA Tournament South Region Most Outstanding Player award in 2022.
International Achievements
In the summer of 2019, Samuels represented the United States at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. The team won the bronze medal, defeating the Dominican Republic in the third-place game with nine points from Samuels. He finished the tournament averaging 9.4 points per game.
Professional Achievements
Following his transition to the professional ranks, Samuels was selected to the 2024 NBA G League Next Up Game while with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He continues to build his professional resume with San Pablo Burgos of the Spanish Liga ACB.
Jermaine Samuels Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jermaine Samuels Jr. was raised in Franklin, Massachusetts, by his parents, Jermaine Samuels Sr. and Taihish. His growth spurt between ages 12 and 13 helped redirect his athletic path toward basketball and shaped the early development of his game.
Personal Life
Samuels comes from a close-knit family that supported his move from high school basketball at The Rivers School to the national stage at Villanova. He is regarded as one of the top athletes to come out of Franklin, Massachusetts, a community that also produced Olympic athlete Kristie Kirshe.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a turning point in Samuels’ professional journey. After spending the early portion of the year with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, where he earned selection to the 2024 NBA G League Next Up Game, he was waived by the Houston Rockets in October 2024 and rejoined the Vipers the same month. His contract status reflected the constant movement typical of players building a pro career through the G League system.
On August 21, 2025, Samuels signed with San Pablo Burgos of the Spanish Liga ACB, giving him a fresh start in one of Europe’s most respected domestic leagues. The opportunity allows him to showcase the scoring and rebounding skills that defined his Villanova career, including the postseason form that earned him the South Region Most Outstanding Player award in 2022.
Looking ahead, Samuels’ outlook in Spain centers on adjusting to the tactical, team-oriented style of European basketball while continuing to refine his perimeter shot. With his combination of size, experience, and postseason poise, he remains a player capable of contributing at a high level in international competition.