Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 7:09
San Diego State University basketball is securing its future by adding a massive new piece to the frontcourt. Precious Sam, a towering 6-foot-11½ center from Ghana, officially committed to the Aztecs on Sunday. The three-star recruit brings elite physical tools and a relentless work ethic that align perfectly with head coach Brian Dutcher system.
Sam stands at 6-foot-11½ and weighs 235 pounds. He arrives at SDSU with a ready-to-play physique, bypassing the typical freshman weight room grind. His most notable attribute is a 7-foot-5 wingspan, which echoes the success of former Aztec Nathan Mensah. Mensah developed into a two-time Mountain West defensive player of the year after arriving as a raw freshman from Ghana. Sam shares that same background and shot-blocking potential. He spent his senior season at Southeastern Prep Academy in Orlando, Florida, after stints in Kentucky and Phoenix. Coaches were impressed by his willingness to do the physically demanding work inside. He prioritizes rebounding, setting hard screens, and finishing near the rim over flashy perimeter skills.
“Being a big is not easy... That is what I do,” Sam told the Union-Tribune. “I do the job that no other person wants to do.”
This commitment marks a significant shift for the SDSU program located in San Diego County. Historically reliant on California and Western prospects, the Aztecs are actively expanding their recruitment globally. Sam becomes the latest international addition to a squad where seven of thirteen scholarship players were born overseas. Another key recruit, guard Davey Harris from Los Angeles, rounds out the early 2027 class. The coaching staff maintained constant communication through AAU circuits and virtual meetings, emphasizing a family-oriented culture that resonated with the young athlete.
Sam journey began late compared to traditional high school recruits. He did not touch a basketball until age eleven, initially encouraged by his mother to pursue academics and medicine. Talent scouts recognized his extraordinary frame and athleticism during middle school, prompting his move to the United States. Years of overnight gym sessions and competitive AAU play transformed him into a polished collegiate prospect. His development mirrors the trajectory of current NBA frontcourt players who leveraged size and hustle to reach the highest levels of the sport.
Precious Sam fills an immediate roster gap for San Diego State. With projected starter Jeremiah Cherry and Italian backup Luca Vincini graduating, the Aztecs need reliable interior presence. Sam commitment signals ambitious growth for the program as it aims to replicate its deep tournament runs. Fans and analysts can expect a highly physical, defensively oriented frontcourt in the upcoming college basketball season.
