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Remember when you saw Qadence Samuels at UConn? You might have seen her on the bench a lot, flashing that infectious smile, but not always getting a ton of run. Fast forward to the 2025-26 season, and Qadence has officially entered her “new woman, who dis?” era at NC State! She’s gone from a promising talent to a bona fide impact player, and her recent breakout game against SMU was just the icing on the cake.

Let’s take a casual stroll through her journey:

The UConn Chapter: Waiting in the Wings

Back in the 2024-25 season, Qadence was part of a stacked UConn squad that finished an incredible 37-3 winning the National Championship. But being on a powerhouse team often means fighting for minutes, and Qadence found herself deep in a loaded rotation.

• She played in 33 games, but every single one was off the bench.
• Her average court time was just 5.5 minutes per game.
• In that limited run, she managed 1.2 points and 1.1 rebounds per game.
• She shot around 32.7% from the field and 24.0% from deep.

She was clearly talented, but with legends like Paige Bueckers, Sarah Strong, and Azzi Fudd running the show, consistent minutes were a luxury. Qadence was the definition of a player patiently waiting for her opportunity.

The Wolfpack Rebirth: Seizing the Moment!

Now, flip the calendar to the current 2025-26 season, and Qadence Samuels has found a completely new groove at NC State after a portal run to Raleigh! The transfer has clearly paid off, as she’s gone from a bench spark to a key starter and a genuine force.

• She’s played in all 17 games for the Wolfpack, starting in 13 of them – a massive jump in responsibility!
• Her minutes have skyrocketed to 25.3 per game. That’s almost five times the playing time she got at UConn!
• Her scoring has risen to 6.4 points per game, and she’s pulling down 4.5 rebounds per game. She’s also dishing out 1.4 assists and getting 0.6 steals.
• While her shooting percentages (34.2% FG, 25.8% 3FG) are similar, the sheer volume and impact are miles apart.

Just look at the recent SMU game: Qadence led the Pack with 16 points on incredibly efficient 7-for-10 shooting (70%!), including 2-for-4 from three. She was everywhere, making winning plays and showing exactly why Coach Moore has put so much faith in her. Her +37 plus/minus in that game wasn’t a fluke; it was a testament to how crucial she’s become. She has emerged!

It’s fantastic to witness Qadence not only finding her footing but truly flourishing in her new environment. UConn Coach Geno Auriemma, was asked in 2022 about transfers from his program in this new portal era, “I’ve never had a really good player leave my program in 37 years that left and made it big at a top 10 or top 20 school. That just isn’t going to happen. If you can’t play for me, if you can’t play for us at UConn, you can’t play anywhere at this level,” Auriemma said. Well, to those sentiments, NC State can simply say, “Thank you for Q!” The Wolfpack has gained a starter who brings tremendous defense, and it’s clear her offensive game is starting to click in her new role. She’s becoming that versatile scoring threat Coach Wes Moore covets in his starting five – a wing capable of driving to the hoop and knocking down timely threes.