"Pure Butter: The NYC Underdog with a Fire You Can’t Teach"

Samir Bakaev

@Samirbakaev8

6’2, 160lbs, Class of 2025

Midwood HS, NY

Samir is a walking bucket with bounce, vision, and relentless hunger. He’s explosive off the dribble, crafty in tight spaces, and surgical with the ball in his hands. A dynamic playmaker with sick handles and a silky-smooth touch, Samir can pull up on a dime or float one in over a defender’s outstretched hand, pure butter even with a hand in his face. His elevation on his jumper is elite, and his touch, both off the catch and off the bounce, makes him nearly impossible to bottle up. But he’s more than just a scorer. Samir is a true floor general who runs the offense with poise, facilitates with purpose, and never stops communicating. On defense, he takes pride in locking in, pressuring full court, creating havoc, and setting the tone for his squad.

Averaging 18 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals per game this past season, Samir saw his biggest improvement as an attacker. He became more aggressive getting downhill, used his body to finish through contact, and elevated his IQ to make the right reads at the right moments. He’s got a deep bag offensively and a non-stop motor. What’s driving him now is his transformation into a more complete threat, tightening his handles, improving off-hand finishing, building muscle, and preparing to thrive at the next level. His goal is to enter prep school or college stronger, smarter, and more skilled than ever.

This summer, Samir’s competing with NY Select on the Made Hoops Circuit and has already made waves on the East Coast. His eyes are locked on the live period event in Oak, PA (July 12–13), where he’s determined to showcase his game in front of coaches and prove he’s ready for whatever comes next. Earning attention from top NYC platforms and picking up local offers has been a spark, but for Samir, it’s only the beginning. He sees himself as an underdog, still grinding, still working to make his name known beyond his city.

What fuels him most isn’t hype or rankings but his mother. Her sacrifices, her support, and her belief in him are what drive him to show up, go all in, and earn a scholarship that can change both of their lives. When facing adversity, Samir looks to his faith and work. He trusts God, trusts the process, and believes that when you give everything and never stop grinding, doors will open. The best coaching advice he’s ever received is, "Don’t complain. Play hard. Always have your people’s backs, and never jog back on defense."

Off the court, Samir enjoys time with family, hanging with friends, swimming, and reconnecting with his love for the cello, proving that his talents stretch well beyond the hardwood.

I assess that Samir brings the full package to the table: scoring, facilitating, defense, and leadership. His ability to create his own shot and also run an offense gives him rare versatility, and his fire to prove himself sets him apart. Coaches will get a guard who competes, communicates, and impacts both ends of the floor.

As he builds strength and improves his off-hand and handle, Samir is on track to become a complete weapon at the prep and college level. He’s already making noise, and with his work ethic, vision, and toughness, expect his rise to continue. He’s got that NYC grit and the game to back it up. Stay tuned for a monster season ahead.