Why Milos Uzan Stayed, and What It Means for Houston in 2025-26

With just days left before the NBA Draft declaration deadline, Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan announced he’ll return for another season with the Cougars.

At practically the same time, Pop Isaacs—who committed to Houston earlier this month—flipped to Texas A&M.

With Uzan’s decision now official, here are four takeaways on what it means for him, the Cougars, and Isaacs.

UZAN MAKES THE RIGHT CALL

By staying, Uzan sent a clear message: he might’ve been drafted, but the guaranteed deal he wanted wasn’t on the table. He made headlines last month when he publicly stated he wouldn’t go pro without a guaranteed contract—a smart move that signaled maturity and self-awareness.

While NBA analysts noted Uzan’s underwhelming NBA Combine showing, he now has something just as valuable: honest feedback from scouts and executives. He knows where he stands, and he has a roadmap for how to get better. That benefits both his draft stock and Houston’s on-court outlook.

As I wrote previously: if you’re not a surefire first-rounder and you still have eligibility, you go back to school. Uzan made the right decision.

CULTURE STILL WINS AT HOUSTON

Kelvin Sampson loves to preach culture—and Houston’s success proves it’s more than coachspeak. The Cougars are retaining key players, landing top transfers, and sending guys to the NBA.

Sampson’s background as an NBA assistant coach doesn’t hurt. But what separates him now is his ability to win without leaning on NIL. On Tuesday, he said bluntly: “I don’t build my program around NIL.”

Sure, others in the building probably handle that, but Sampson’s built a decade of sustained excellence. Players buy in. They develop. They win. That’s a big part of why Uzan came back.

POP GOES TO COLLEGE STATION

Minutes after Uzan’s return hit the wire, Isaacs’ flip to Texas A&M dropped. Safe to say he saw the writing on the wall.

That’s a loss for Houston. Isaacs would’ve been a strong fit. But with Uzan staying, Isaacs likely faced a sixth-man role in his final college season. He’s trying to make the league, too—and he needs starting reps. Can’t blame him for pivoting.

HOUSTON LOOKS LIKE A CONTENDER

With Uzan back, Houston projects as a top-5 team next season—maybe even the preseason No. 1. The Cougars will likely enter as Big 12 favorites.

They’ve only lost two players to the portal: guard Terrance Arceneaux (NC State) and forward Ja’Vier Francis. Everyone else departed due to eligibility, including L.J. Cryer and J’Wan Roberts.

Three starters are locked in: Uzan, Emanuel Sharp, and Joseph Tugler—the latter expected to make a Roberts-like leap in year two. The last two starting spots? Up for grabs.

Houston returns six players, adds transfer big man Kalifa Sakho, and welcomes four freshmen, headlined by ESPN’s No. 6 recruit, Chris Cenac Jr. There’s real depth—and real upside.

The Cougars haven’t posted their official roster yet, but sources suggest Sampson has 14 players on board. If the House vs. NCAA settlement passes, he’ll get one more scholarship. And with Uzan back, that final spot could go to a high-impact transfer.