Sensational is one of the terms often used to describe Samardo Samuels, the 18-year-old basketball sensation who came out of the KFC/ISSA schoolboy competitions and who was listed by the prestigious Sports Illustrated magazine among the top five underclassmen in the US in 2006.

Recruited at age 15 from a KFC-sponsored JaBA Star Search Camp, the youngster from Muschette High in Trelawny left Jamaica for St Benedicts High School in New Jersey and quickly established himsel as a centre and power forward.
He is currently the No 2-ranked high school basketball player in the USA, and is the top centre for the Class of 2008.

Tina Myers-Matalon (right) of KFC and Samardo Samuels (left) shake hands at KFC's head offices in Kingston last week.

Standing 6' 10" and weighing 245 pounds, Samuels is already being sought after by several universities, including top basketball schools Florida State, University of North Carolina, University of Yukon and George Town University - Patrick Ewing's alma mater.
The interest being generated seems to bear out Scouts.com's 2006 assessment that Samuels "is a big-time prospect (who has) superior interior (skills) ala a young Eddy Curry. finishes with a purpose and is very powerful. He has a chance to be specia".

An August 2006 review of his performance by NBADraft.net also applauded Samuels' "great offensive game, where he uses ball and head and fakes well to get his defender off balance. He has the strength to muscle his way around the basket. He has a nice handle for a big man and a soft touch around the hoop".
As part of a one-week visit to Jamaica, Samuels paid a courtesy call on KFC on April 11. He expressed his thanks for the opportunit the company afforded him.

"When I left at age 15, I missed home for about one day before I settled in and decided to make the best of the opportunity and I want to say thanks for KFC's investment in basketball which gives kids an opportunity to do what they love. That is really great," Samuels added.

Speaking on behalf of KFC, marketing manager Tina Myers-Matalon said the company's commitment to the development of the sport was encouraged by the huge potential for growth.
While here, Samuels is interviewing a youngster from Old Harbour High who plays in the KFC/ISSA schools league who St Benedict's is looking to recruit.

Samuels is scheduled to play for the USA on an All-Stars High School team against teams from other countries. He will also be available to represent Jamaica in this year's CARICOM Championships.

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