Kelvin Sampson: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

Over the last decade, Kelvin Sampson has transformed Houston from an afterthought in the AAC to a national power and one of the most prominent programs in the Big 12.

College Basketball News / Busting Brackets / September 21

Houston adds Triston Hawthorne to nation’s No. 1 recruiting class

Houston’s recruiting momentum continues to accelerate. Four-star power forward Triston Hawthorne committed to the Cougars, becoming the fourth top-100 prospect in Kelvin Sampson’s 2027 recruiting class.

College Basketball News / Busting Brackets / September 18

Houston's No. 1 recruiting class just added the most Kelvin Sampson player possible

Kelvin Sampson apparently found another Kelvin Sampson basketball player. Houston added its fourth commitment to a loaded 2027 recruiting class Thursday when four-star forward Triston Hawthorne announced he will play for the Cougars.

Utah Jazz News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The '2nd-overall NBA Draft picks' quiz

How many of the players to be taken second-overall in each NBA Draft since the lottery era began in 1985 can you name in six minutes?

The 'No.1 NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'No. 3 NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'No.1 Draft pick & Rookie of the Year' quiz

College Basketball News / Busting Brackets / September 10

Houston’s stunning recruiting weekend could shape its next championship push

Houston basketball just enjoyed the type of recruiting weekend that can shape a program for years. Kelvin Sampson and his staff landed commitments from point guard Darrell Davis and forward Beau Daniels on consecutive days.

College Basketball News / Yardbarker

Looking back at the guy who followed THE guy in college basketball

North Carolina recently fired head men's basketball coach Hubert Davis, ending a five-year run in which he struggled to keep the program at the heights of its lofty expectations.

College Basketball News / Heartland College Sports / July 23

Meet Houston’s First Commit of the 2027 Class

Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars have earned their first commitment in the Class of 2027. Montverde Academy (Florida) senior Oneal Delancy officially booked his commitment with the Cougars on Wednesday.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / July 9

Willie Fritz Says Houston Football Has Kelvin Sampson Blueprint

Houston football has had a major culture shift. Before Head coach Willie Fritz arrived in Houston, there was not much of a winning mentality in the building.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / June 7

Kelvin Sampson Becomes A Different Kind of Coach To His NBA Players

The time that college basketball coaches get to truly be around some of the best NBA talent on their team is mostly limited these days. Most players who are expected to go near the top of the first round are one-and-done in college, meaning they move on to the NBA after their freshman year.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / May 26

Kelvin Sampson Analyzed Houston's Specific Transfer Portal Ideology

The Houston Cougars are one of the most unique basketball programs in the country, and a lot of that has to due with the infectious culture that coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff have instilled.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / May 20

Kelvin Sampson Delivers Powerful Message to Fans Regarding NIL Funding

Houston basketball has been a top basketball program for nearly a decade, and head coach Kelvin Sampson has continued that success even in the NIL era.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / May 12

Kelvin Sampson Delivers Encouraging Update On Incoming Talent

Houston basketball was very aggressive with the loss of nine players from last year’s team by landing Dedan Thomas Jr., Delrecco Gillespie, Corey Hadnot and Braden East in the transfer portal.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / May 8

Here’s What Kelvin Sampson Had To Say About Djafar Silimana

The future is bright. Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson recently spoke about one of the recent additions who will be a redshirt and shared his thoughts on Djafar Silimana joining the program. “We were looking for a big kid that we could put in the oven,” Sampson said.” Preheat it to 400, and then hit start and let him just stay in there.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / May 6

Houston Basketball Reveals More of Its 2026-27 Non-Conference Schedule

The Houston Cougars have become more adventurous in their non-conference basketball schedule over the past few years. While Houston would usually finish that slate of the schedule undefeated, that has changed for the last two seasons.

College Basketball News / Houston Cougars on SI / May 4

Kelvin Sampson Calls Out NBA Teams for Doubting Jamal Shead

Houston Cougars basketball coach Kelvin Sampson understands what it takes to be a good NBA player. After all, he was an assistant coach in the NBA from 2008-14 with the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Most 100-rushing-yard NFL games' quiz

The 'QB season rushing-TD leaders' quiz

The 'Rushing TDs by active NFL WRs' quiz

The 'Most 3-HR MLB Playoffs' quiz

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / May 2

Four Houston Cougars Invited to NBA Combine

There was no shortage of talent on the 2025-26 Houston Cougars. This was one of the most talented teams the program has trotted out during the coach Kelvin Sampson era.

College Basketball News / Raptors Republic / April 29

Diving for culture: Jamal Shead’s play that earned a message from Kelvin Sampson

“Culture.” That was one of the key words that coach Kelvin Sampson texted to Jamal Shead after the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers Game 4. It is a simple, direct, and loaded with meaning.

College Basketball News / Houston Cougars on SI / April 29

Kelvin Sampson’s Text to Jamal Shead After His Viral Play in NBA Playoffs

Houston Cougars basketball is now a program that offers a genuine path to the NBA. Some of the greatest to ever play the sport came through Houston such as Hakeem Olajuwon and Elvin Hayes, While UH went through some tough times, the pipeline to the NBA has now reopened.

College Basketball News / Larry Brown Sports / April 9

Kelvin Sampson reveals significant Houston Cougars roster news for 2026-27

Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars fell short of the Final Four this time after making the championship game in 2025. However, Houston’s chances of a Final Four next season got a big update from Sampson.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 31

Why Kelvin Sampson's Return in 2026 Is So Important For The Future of Houston

The Houston Cougars got huge, reassuring news on Saturday that Kelvin Sampson will return as the UH basketball head coach for next season. It's important these days that the head coach makes it known what's next and there was no doubt at all about this decision from Sampson.

Houston Cougars News / Heartland College Sports / March 28

Kelvin Sampson’s Decision on His Future is Best For the Big 12

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson is set to return for the 2026-27 college basketball season, as first reported by Jon Rothstein on Saturday. Sampson told Rothstein, “I’m excited as I’ve ever been to keep coaching.” And for the Big 12 Conference, this is a huge win.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 25

Why Kelvin Sampson Thinks Illinois' Keaton Wagler Will Be a 'Problem' for Houston

Keaton Wagler has given Big Ten teams fits all season long. Illinois' lead guard, Wagler is averaging 17.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists (against just 1.8 turnovers) – numbers that were elevated throughout league play.

College Basketball News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / March 24

Houston's Kelvin Sampson Shares Thoughts on Illinois Ahead of Sweet 16 Matchup

Illinois versus Houston is one of the most intriguing Sweet 16 matchups because each team's biggest strength will be put to the test. The Illini rank No.

NCAA Bracket Analysis for Teams in the West: 11 teams from region or aligned with regional conferences will be represented

The field is set for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. With 11 teams from the West or aligned with conferences in the region making the Big Dance, there’s plenty to discuss.

College Basketball News / Heartland College Sports / February 24

Kelvin Sampson vs. Darryn Peterson: Are They Both Right?

Kansas’ 69-56 win over Houston last night just did not end when the final buzzer sounded. It carried into the press conference room, where an interesting exchange unfolded between Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.

College Basketball News / Utah Utes on SI / February 11

Why Kelvin Sampson is optimistic about Utah basketball's future

Utah head coach Alex Jensen hasn't been shy about his admiration and appreciation for what Kelvin Sampson has done in turning Houston into a perennial Final Four contender over the past decade.

College Basketball News / West Virginia Mountaineers on SI / January 13

West Virginia vs. Houston: Preview and odds

It's one thing to beat a top 25 team at home. It's another to beat a top-10 team on the road just days after taking down a ranked foe. Ross Hodge and the West Virginia Mountaineers are hoping to achieve that later tonight when they take on the Houston Cougars.