June 3, 2009
Samuels stays home
The line of demarcation in college recruiting is often a biased and faulty one. It’s as if going D-I is the land of everflowing milk and honey where dreams are fulfilled and all the young adults are a Lake Woebegone-ish above average. Such thinking presupposes that the D-II, D-III and NAIA athletic and educational levels are the equivalent of "give me...your huddled masses...the wretched refuse of your teeming shore..."
Samuels was the Yellowjacket leader
Well, backcourter Mark Samuels of Berkeley High and soon to be at Cal State East Bay in Hayward, is an example that finding a fit is much more important than hype and hoopla.
Samuels led his Berkeley Yellowjackets squad to a 24-4 overall record, 12-0 in the Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League (ACCAL), before falling 49-45 in the playoffs to host Newark Memorial. Newark then went on the road and beat De La Salle by six.
Samuels averaged 18 points per game, along with six assists. Success came in the classroom too as indicated by a 3.2 grade point average and a 1400 score on the SAT.
Samuels’ quick hands nabbed 100 steals
But the ACCAL didn’t boast a goodly number of collegiate prospects this season so it wasn’t an entity on the proverbial must-see scouting radar.
Samuels is fine with that. "They [Cal State East Bay] showed the earliest interest and it’s close to home and the support of my family," Samuels said. "I want to help Coach [Will] Biggs build the program." The Pioneer went 19-8 overall last season, 14-2 as a member of the Cal Pac Conference.
In 2009-2010, Cal State East Bay will begin play in NCAA Division II and the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The CCAA members include Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU Los Angeles, CSU Monterey Bay, CSU San Bernardino, CSU Stanislaus, Chico State, Humboldt State, San Francisco State, Sonoma State and UC San Diego.
Samuels is a 2009 graduate
It’s a new beginning for all.
Here’s Berkeley Coach Brian Guinn on his team most valuable player: "Mark took team upon his shoulders, led and taught them. He’s been an outstanding young man from the first day I met him, filled with a lot of character and perfect to coach."
Guinn added, " He got a little quicker this year and had over 100 steals as a senior. We watched tape together and I pointed out some things. That increased his awareness and anticipation."
Raymond Young, Samuels’ mentor with the Oakland Rebels club team also speaks highly of his former player. Young said, "He is a point guard who makes his teammates better and his greatest attribute is being a leader. Mark is a tough defender who excels at guarding the ball. He is in the gym constantly working to become better. Coach Biggs did a good job in recruiting him."
Even more pointedly, Young added "it’s surprising how many D-1 level guards go D-2 but it’s important to go where you are wanted. Mark is a great person, student and basketball player."
Samuels offered this about his top skills: "I’m best at attacking the basket and defending," adding that the two toughest matchups for him were "Will Cherry, because he’s a little bit faster than me and Jared Cunningham, because of his height advantage."
Maybe most important of all, Samuels lauds his father as his biggest influence because "my Dad keeps me focused and on track."
On track and headed just 20-something miles down I-880.