"Paint Beast: Power, Skill, and a Game Built for More"

Samuel Mosquera

@smosquerar7

IG: @smosquerar

6'10, 210lbs, Class of 2026

Empowering Others Prep, TX

Samuel is a powerful, old-school big man who thrives in the paint and brings a two-way presence that commands attention. With a strong back-to-the-basket game and the size to bully defenders down low, he’s a constant threat to score, whether he’s serving up crafty post moves or punishing the rim with explosive dunks. But what separates Samuel is that he’s not just big but skilled. His feel for the game, court vision, and passing instincts make him a playmaking center who knows how to create for others as much as himself. Defensively, he’s a tone-setter. He protects the rim with excellent timing, alters everything around the basket, and seems to always be in the right place at the right time.

Last season, Samuel's biggest improvements were playing above the rim and making athletic plays on both ends. His improved shooting efficiency, especially from the perimeter, expanded his offensive arsenal and added versatility to his game. This offseason, he's focused on pushing that development further, continuing to strengthen his athleticism and turning his 3-point shot into a consistent threat. Competing at the national level gave him the confidence that he can not only hang with top-ranked players, but outplay them. He showed that skill and feel can match or beat hype and that he’s more than ready to prove he belongs on a D1 floor.

Representing his home country fuels every step Samuel takes on the court. As a member of the U17 Colombian National Team and a participant in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders camp, he carries not only the pride of a growing resume but the weight of a nation’s belief. That pressure doesn’t hold him back, it drives him. He embraces adversity as fuel and uses those moments to grow. The best advice he’s ever received is, "Bet on yourself. Accept your role. Be perfect at it." Off the court, he’s a thinker and learner who enjoys studying, cooking, vibing to music, and spending time with friends.

Samuel is playing for FAM Elite this AAU season, the defending 17U NXTPRO champs. He’s locked in on the live periods and ready to show college coaches that he’s not just a name on a roster, he’s a piece they can build around. His goals for next season are to win the NSPA and SWAIC, grow his game, and be fully prepared when it’s time to step into college basketball.

I assess that Samuel’s skill, size, and poise make him a rare modern big with old school tools and new school potential. He impacts the game in multiple ways, rim protection, passing, post scoring, and now expanding range, and he plays with the pride and fire of someone who carries more than just a jersey on his back. He’s the type of player who can change the interior of a college defense and create mismatches on offense.

As his athleticism and outside shot continue to grow, Samuel’s game is evolving in a direction that college coaches should be paying serious attention to. He’s already producing at a national level and showing flashes of greatness. With the right fit and continued development, his ceiling stretches far beyond the next level—he has a real shot at becoming a force both on the court and as a leader for his country’s future.