Kelvin Sampson Shares Insightful Thoughts on Houston’s Talented Freshman Class
As the 2025-26 season approaches, excitement continues to build around the Houston Cougars, who were recently ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Poll. Coming off a run to the national championship game, the Cougars return several key players and are preparing to open the season with an exhibition against Mississippi State in late October, followed by their regular-season debut against Lehigh on Nov. 3 at the Fertitta Center.
During the team’s annual media day this week, head coach Kelvin Sampson addressed various topics, including high expectations, returning talent, and, notably, the team’s high-profile freshman class.
Sampson on His Newcomers
One of the highlights from Sampson’s media availability was his candid assessment of three of Houston’s five-star freshmen: Chris Cenac Jr., Isiah Harwell, and Kingston Flemings. While all three arrive with impressive high school résumés, Sampson made it clear that their journey at the collegiate level is just beginning.
“These three freshmen require a lot of attention because, coming in, none of them is as good as they think they are,” Sampson said. “They’ve got a long way to go, but the best part is they want to be great. They show up every day with confidence and the mindset to get better — and that’s crucial because setbacks are coming.”
Despite their top-tier recruiting status, Sampson emphasized the humility and commitment each player showed by choosing Houston over more lucrative offers elsewhere.
“People always say we recruited them — they recruited us, too,” Sampson explained. “They could’ve taken more money to go somewhere else, but they turned it down because they believed in this program. That says a lot. They chose Houston, and that tells you they understand what they’re getting into. Everyone in the country knows what this program is about.”
Earning Their Role
Though breaking into a stacked rotation won’t be easy, Sampson hinted that the talented trio has the potential to earn meaningful minutes as the season progresses — especially if they continue to embrace the process.
With a blend of veteran leadership and elite newcomers, the Cougars enter the season as one of the nation’s top contenders once again. If the freshmen can grow into their roles, they may help push Houston deep into March Madness once more.
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