Star Tugler growing brighter
UH signee has gone from a freshman fighting to make varsity roster to four-star prospect
When Joseph Tugler walks around the Fertitta Center on the University of Houston campus, he’s well known.
Strangers have come up to him knowing him by his name and nickname “JoJo.”
Fans want their picture taken with the future Cougar and wish him well with his senior season at Cypress Falls.
“I’m surprised with how many people know me.” Tugler said. “They show love over there. The arena can be packed, and it can get really loud. I was at the Alabama game (Dec. 10) with my teammates, and it was packed. It was a great experience for me for sure, and I can’t wait to play over there one day.”
Tugler and the Golden Eagles begin the playoffs at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Klein in a Region II-6A bi-district game at Cypress Lakes High School.
Today, Tugler is ranked as the nation’s No. 76 recruit and No. 8 in Texas by ESPN, standing 6foot-7 and weighing 210 pounds. The four-star recruit has come a long way since his freshman year, when he was just trying to earn a spot on the Golden Eagles’ roster to play for coach Richard Flores.
Tugler wasn’t concerned about college offers growing up. He was more worried about improving his game whenever he got a chance to get in the gym.
Getting rebounds, blocking shots and hustle just came naturally for Tugler.
“That’s just the dog in me to always want to get the ball,” Tugler said. “For some people, it doesn’t happen. For me, I always want to get rebounds, and you never want the ball to be touching the ground at all.”
Flores could see the potential in Tugler grow from freshman to senior year. Working with one of the best players in the nation has been easy when Tugler is responsive to coaching every day.
“It’s special. They don’t come around often,” Flores said of
coaching a big-time recruit. “We have had some really good players come through this program, but he has taken the biggest leap out of anyone as far as his development.”
Cy Falls wrapped up the regular season by winning its second straight District 16-6A title. Tugler has averaged a doubledouble this season with 20 points and 12 rebounds, adding three blocks and three assists per game as well. After making it to the Region II-6A tournament last season, the Golden Eagles have their sights set on a second state championship in seven years.
Getting on UH’s radar
After Cy Falls won its first state title in 2017, UH coach Kelvin Sampson called Flores and offered his congratulations.
Sampson and his son Kellen,
the Cougars’ lead assistant, had their eyes on Tugler as a junior. They stopped and watched him play in November and December and later during Cy Falls’ playoff run.
“One of the special things about Kelvin and Kellen was that they started on Joseph really early,” Flores said. “They saw him getting so much better in a three-month period, so they knew that he was only going to get better. It just all came together for UH so quickly. It was an easy decision for him to stay home and play for a great program with great coaches.”
Flores felt that Tugler would shine on the AAU circuit in summer before his senior season, but it was too late for other schools to draw his interest. Tugler wanted to play for the Sampsons.
“Playing for coach (Kelvin)
Sampson, he’s going to make me a better person along with a better basketball player,” Tugler said on why he chose UH. “They’re really a family over there, and I know they’re going to teach me things that I don’t know about basketball.”
Tugler has stopped by Houston’s practices this season and enjoys talking to his future coaches and teammates.
“They’re getting a guy with a big heart,” Flores said. “I don’t want to compare him to anybody, but he has one of those infectious smiles that just brightens up the room. He’s going to be a good locker room guy as well. They have a lot of expectations and high standards, and he’s always motivated to get better.”
Big goals close to home
Tugler’s goal is to get to the NBA. He doesn’t watch a lot of professional basketball but loves how Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 2021 NBA Finals MVP, plays.
At UH, Tugler is going to play a little more on the perimeter. He has been working on his 3point shot, ballhandling and free throws.
“I want to make this my job and go to the League,” Tugler said. “I know coach Sampson and the people at UH are going to help me do that, and I trust them. I’m not going to be far from my family, and I’m glad that they’re going to be able to watch my games.”
Tugler likes the culture at UH and can’t wait to wear the red and white for the Cougars.
“Everybody comes to win,” Tugler said. “I feel like everyone has the same mindset over there, I feel like that’s why they’re winning a lot. That’s a good thing. You don’t want everyone on different goals. Go chase something similar and be great. I’m enjoying my senior year, and we want to win state. But after high school, it’s all about college basketball.”