Samuels is third Class of ’23 commit

The UConn women’s basketball program received a commitment from a Class of 2023 recruit Saturday morning.

Qadence Samuels, a 6-foot-2 guard from Forestville, Maryland, announced in a Twitter post that she will attend UConn.

She is the third Class of 2023 player to commit to UConn, following guards Ashlynn Shade and KK Arnold.

Shade is ranked as the No. 6 prospect in the class by ESPN, Arnold at No. 7.

Samuels is ranked 35th in the class by ESPN.

Samuels, who attended Bishop McNamara in the Washington, D.C., area, reportedly had offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Miami, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wake Forest, West Virginia,Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh.

In February, ESPN recruiting analyst Shane Laflin rated Samuels among players who “upped their stock” last season.

“Samuels effortlessly runs the floor. She glides baseline to baseline and is a threat to either sprint for an easy layup at the rim or spot up for the transition triple,” Laflin wrote.

“Her confidence and effectiveness from deep have really improved over the last year. Her improved shot preparation has helped her in all aspects of her shooting, and she attacks the elbows for pull-up jumpers very well.

“Defensively, her frame and length allow her to be a real weapon for her team. Her high school and club (Team Takeover) programs emphasize defense, and she has begun to buy in. As that becomes more of a staple, she can be a lockdown type of defender, and her rebounding will improve as she adds more strength.”