JONESBORO, Ark. (11/11/26) – Arkansas State men’s basketball head coach Ryan Pannone announced Wednesday the additions of Kyle Blair and Abdoulaye Samoura Jr. to the 2027-28 roster.
 
Blair was named 2025-26 2A District 11 Player of the Year after averaging 12.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in 26 games at The First Academy. In his junior season, Blair guided the Royals to a 19-11 record and an appearance in the 2A State Quarterfinals. The 6-foot-10 center from Ozone Park, N.Y., also earned defensive player of the year recognition as a sophomore.
 
“Blair is a dynamic, high-motor frontcourt prospect who impacts winning through his elite physical tools, exceptional rim protection and relentless activity on the glass,” said Pannone. “Standing at 6’10 with a long wingspan and smooth lateral mobility, he serves as a premier defensive anchor who excels at timing blocks, erasing interior looks and switching comfortably in space. Offensively, Blair operates as a vertical spacing threat who thrives off lobs, screen-and-roll action and opportunistic putbacks.
 
His ability to run the floor hard in transition, combined with his blue-collar approach, makes him a highly disruptive force on both ends of the court.”
 
Samoura Jr. was a 2025-26 First Team All-Region selection at Collège St-Jean-Vianney. The 6-foot-10 forward from Montreal also spent time at Montreal Prep and competed on the 2026 Nike EYBL Circuit.
 
“Abdoulaye Samoura Jr. is a highly versatile, modern stretch forward who dominates as a two-way force with his elite 6-foot-10 size and seven-foot wingspan,” said Pannone. “Offensively, he comfortably operates with an outside-in skillset that stretches opposing defenses and allows him to sink perimeter three-pointers while maintaining lethal efficiency at the rim on hard cuts and transition finishes.
 
His rare combination of lateral agility and immense length on defense grants him an elite switch ability to seamlessly guard smaller perimeter players while functioning as a devastating rim protector and high-volume rebounder in the paint.”
 
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