Samuels decided to attend the University of Louisville for college. He chose the Cardinals over Connecticut, Florida, Georgetown and North Carolina. At Louisville, Samuels started every game that he played in and led the 2009–10 team in scoring and rebounding. After his sophomore year, he decided to skip his final two years of college eligibility and enter the 2010 NBA draft.
After going undrafted in the 2010 NBA draft, Samuels played for the Chicago Bulls in the 2010 NBA Summer League, averaging 12.6 points and 7.4 rebounds. On August 17, 2010, Samuels signed a 3-year, $2.3 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. A portion of the deal was guaranteed. He debuted against the Toronto Raptors, on October 29, and scored 7 points. On December 27, 2010 he was sent to the Erie BayHawks, the Cavs' affiliate in the NBA Development League. On January 1, after two games in the NBA D-League, he was recalled by the Cavs. On March 2, 2011, Samuels made his first career start against the San Antonio Spurs in place of the injured Antawn Jamison and scored a career high 23 points while pulling down 10 rebounds. On December 28, 2012, Samuels was assigned to the Canton Charge of the D-League. He was recalled on December 31, 2012. On January 6, 2013, he was waived by the Cavaliers.
Several short stints (2013)
Following the waiving by the Cavaliers, he was acquired by the D-League's Reno Bighorns on January 17, 2013. On April 7, 2013, Samuels signed with the Israeli club Hapoel Jerusalem for the rest of the 2012–13 season.
On July 25, 2013, he signed a two-year deal with the Italian club Emporio Armani Milano. In his first Euroleague season with Milano, he averaged 9.5 points and 3.9 rebounds over 25 games. In his second season with Milano, he elevated his game and averaged 12.9 points and 5.4 rebounds over 23 Euroleague games. In the summer of 2015, he parted ways with Olimpia Milano.
Barcelona (2015–16)
On July 22, 2015, Samuels signed a two-year deal with the Spanish club FC Barcelona Lassa. On September 11, 2015, Barcelona announced that Samuels has suffered right hand injury and will miss about 6 weeks of action. In his third consecutive Euroleague season, his role in the new team decreased, and he had averages of 6 points and 2.8 rebounds over 26 games. On August 16, 2016, he parted ways with Barcelona.
On March 17, 2017, he signed with the Italian club Enel Brindisi for the rest of the 2016–17 LBA season. On August 18, 2017, Samuels signed with the Spanish club Real Betis Energía Plus. On September 21, 2017, he parted ways with Real Betis Energía Plus before appearing in a game for them. On October 16, 2017, Samuels signed with the Serbian club Partizan for the rest of the 2017–18 season. He was suspended by the club on November 15, for the violation of club's discipline and the provisions of the contract, day after Partizan lost in a EuroCup game against Alba Berlin. The suspension came as a result of his public criticism of the club, head coach Miroslav Nikolić and other inappropriate remarks toward female journalists. Shortly after, he parted ways with the club. On February 14, 2018, Samuels signed with the French club Limoges CSP for the rest of the 2017–18 season. After averaging 11 points and 4 rebounds per game, he re-signed with the club on August 20, 2018. On February 16, 2020, Samuels signed with Chorale Roanne Basket.
