Arkansas State Signs Blair, Samoura Jr. in Recruiting Class
Arkansas State men's basketball has signed two 6-foot-10 prospects, Blair and Abdoulaye Samoura Jr., according to an announcement by head coach Pannone.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Basketball
Arkansas State men's basketball has signed Blair and Abdoulaye Samoura Jr., both 6-foot-10 forwards or centers, according to an announcement released by head coach Pannone. Blair was named 2025-26 2A District 11 Player of the Year, while Samoura Jr. earned First Team All-Region honors at Collège St-Jean-Vianney.
Why it matters
The signings add two tall prospects to the Red Wolves roster for Jonesboro fans following the program's rebuilding efforts. The additions give the program size and depth in the frontcourt as it looks ahead to upcoming seasons.
Blair averaged 12.6 points and 6.6 rebounds across 26 games at The First Academy, where his Royals went 19-11 in his junior season. Samoura Jr., a 6-foot-10 prospect with a seven-foot wingspan, competed on the 2026 Nike EYBL Circuit, and the announcement did not detail their projected roles.
The players
Arkansas State men's basketball
The Red Wolves are the men's basketball program of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, competing at the NCAA Division I level.
Pannone
Pannone is the head coach of Arkansas State men's basketball who released statements describing the skills of the incoming players.
Nike EYBL Circuit
The Nike Elite Youth Basketball League is a premier summer circuit where top high school prospects compete against national competition.
The details
Blair, a 6-foot-10 prospect from Ozone Park, N.Y., was named 2A District 11 Player of the Year and appeared in the 2A State Quarterfinals as a junior after earning defensive player of the year recognition as a sophomore. Samoura Jr., a 6-foot-10 prospect from Montreal, was a First Team All-Region selection at Collège St-Jean-Vianney.
Timeline
2025-26 season: Blair was named 2A District 11 Player of the Year.
2025-26 season: Samoura Jr. was named a First Team All-Region selection.
2026 Nike EYBL Circuit: Samoura Jr. competed on the circuit.
November 12, 2026: Arkansas State announced the signings.
Season Trajectory
Samoura Jr.'s appearance on the 2026 Nike EYBL Circuit places this signing within the standard pipeline that moves top prospects from national summer showcases onto Division I rosters. Arkansas State's addition of two 6-foot-10 players reflects how mid-major programs build frontcourt depth through circuit exposure and regional recruiting.
For Arkansas State fans, the signings mean the program's frontcourt will include two prospects standing 6-foot-10 when they arrive. Fans following the program can track their development through future roster announcements and season play.
The takeaway
Teams often build their frontcourt through a mix of local high school talent and national circuit exposure, and following a program's recruiting announcements can reveal where its depth is heading. Keeping an eye on signing announcements helps readers understand how a roster takes shape before a season begins.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in our Basketball section for context on college recruiting across Jonesboro.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTLO.
