2025-26 (JUNIOR): Played in all 32 games for the second straight season, making 13 starts … averaged 22.3 minutes per game while shooting right at 40% from the floor, 33% from the arc and a career-best 77.8% from the charity stripe … averaged 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals on the season … really came on over the second half of the season, when he stepped into the starting lineup in 13 of 16 contests and averaged 11.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists … matched career-high with four triples as he posted 20 points in the Southland Conference Tournament first-round loss to New Orleans (3/8) … went 7-8 from the free-throw line against Lamar (3/2) to set a new personal single-game standard … set a new career-high with five steals against East Texas A&M (1/17), a game in which he also contributed 15 points, five boards and six assists … had 15 points in a game on two other occasions coming in back-to-back outings at McNeese (2/9) and against New Orleans (2/14) … hit the game-winning floater in the win over New Orleans on Valentine’s Day … Now sits at 832 points over three seasons and went over the 200-assist mark for his career with a pair at Northwestern State (2/21) …
2024-25 (SOPHOMORE): One of three players to appear in all 32 contests, making five starts … averaged 16.3 minutes per game and averaged 7.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists … averaged 8.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in Southland play … second on the club in assists … shot at a 36.9% clip from long distance overall, and 38.6% in SLC action … season-high 18 points in regular season finale at East Texas A&M (3/3) going 7-9 from the floor and 2-4 from arc … hit career-best four triples in a game twice, vs. Eastern Michigan (11/25) and vs. New Orleans (2/8) … had 10 points, season-highs of seven boards and four assists and matched career-high of three steals against Southeastern (2/10) the last of three games on the season with three steals … had nine points at Nicholls to surpass 500 points for his career, now just 26 points short of 600 …
PRIOR TO HCU: Nebraska-Kearney (2023-24) Scored in double-figures in 20 of 27 games … split time as starter and first off pine, playing 30.1 minutes per outing in his rookie campaign … shot 48.5% from the floor and 35% from the arc … averaged 12.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game … had season-high 22 points against Bethany (KS) and at Lincoln (MO), and scored 21 three times … season-best 10 boards versus Central Missouri and season-high eight assists against Missouri Western …
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended East High in Denver, Colorado … named Mr. Basketball in Colorado after leading the Angels to their 12
th state title, tying a state record … also named the Gatorade and Max Preps Player of the Year for Colorado … averaged 21.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 4.9 steals per game, while shooting 52% from the field and 73% from the line … recorded 11 double-doubles including three triple-doubles …
PERSONAL: Full name is D’Aundre Benny-Franklin Samuels ... born February 26, 2005 … son of Derrick Samuels and Candice Collier… brothers Darius and Nasi … majoring in Kinesiology-Sports Management …
