FOUNDATION TO BUILD ON
Sampson puts UH program in position to sustain success
When Kelvin Sampson arrived on the University of Houston campus, all he could do was sell a vision.
There was no Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, considered one of the best of its kind in the nation. No Fertitta Center. No sellout crowds. Just one NCAA Tournament appearance in most of potential recruits’ lifetime.
With backing from the administration, a commitment to facility upgrades, and some wins along the way, Sampson’s sales pitch was all about building for the future.
“All we had to show (recruits) was our offices and cardboard pictures,” coach Sampson said. “I was never so glad to get rid of pictures in my life. All we did was show them pictures, show them pictures, show them pictures.”
As they prepare to begin Sampson’s sixth season next week against Alabama State, the Cougars are coming off a school-record 34 wins, American Athletic Conference regular-season title and trip to the Sweet 16.
What do potential recruits see now?
“They see banners,” Sampson said. “They see a program that has achieved national prominence. That’s how far we’ve come.”
For the first time since Lewis and his polka-dot towel was on the bench, the basketball program is on solid footing. UH was picked, along with Memphis, as the preseason favorite in the
AAC and a popular pick to make a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance, a feat last achieved by the Phi Slama Jama teams of the early 1980s.
Another important development this offseason: Sampson, who received overtures from Arkansas, signed a long-term deal (six years for $18 million) with UH that will likely keep him on Cullen Boulevard for the remainder of his career. A succession plan is in place with top assistant Kellen Sampson designated as head coach-in-waiting.
“We can win championships at Houston,” said Sampson, who turns 65 on Oct. 5.
This year’s version, though, will have a considerably different look. Gone are starters Galen Robinson Jr., Corey Davis Jr., Breaon Brady and Armoni Brooks, the last an unexpected early departure to the NBA draft that left the Cougars without an automatic 3-point threat.
In past seasons, UH has relied on “snipers” — from Damyean Dotson to Rob Gray to Brooks and Davis — that made the Cougars among the top 3-point shooting teams in the nation. UH made 333 3s last season, tops in the AAC and 19th nationally.
“We don’t have those kinds of guys on this team,” Sampson said. “That’s not the makeup of this team. Our strength won’t be 3-point shooting.”
The Cougars may not have the stable of sharpshooters that can turn a game with the flick of a wrist, but the cupboard is far from bare. De’Jon Jarreau, the AAC’s Sixth Man of the Year last season, is the team’s leading returner scorer (8.7 points per game) and takes over at point guard for four-year starter Robinson. Nate Hinton, named to the AAC’s All-Freshman team, is set to move into the starting lineup, while the Cougars made offseason headlines with the signing of Quentin Grimes, a 6-5 sophomore guard who started every game at Kansas last season. The Cougars are also high on redshirt freshman Caleb Mills and true freshman Marcus Sasser.
For the first time in Sampson’s six seasons, the frontcourt could be the strength. Fabian White Jr. enters the season healthy for the first time since arriving on campus, Brison Greshman and Chris Harris Jr. will share time in the post, Justin Gorham joins the team after sitting out last season following a transfer from Towson. Sampson calls Cedrick Alley Jr. the “Swiss Army knife” that can fill different roles.
“Potential,” Sampson said when asked about what excites him about this season’s roster. “I think this team has potential. This team can be pretty good.”
About to begin the first full season at Fertitta Center, the Cougars announced season tickets sold out for the first time since 1999. UH has won 34 of the last 35 home games. The vision has changed.
“We do realize we are in a different era,” Hinton said. “We still consider ourselves the hunter because we still haven’t arrived yet and we still have goals we want to accomplish.”
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