Houston Cougars Unveil Projected Starting Five for Next Season

Kelvin Sampson retools roster with key portal additions to reload for 2026-27 campaign

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:54pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, breaking down a basketball game into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of color and abstract shapes, capturing the dynamic energy and motion of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the Houston Cougars' new-look starting lineup, blending experienced talent and emerging young stars to reload for the 2026-27 season.Gainesville Today

The Houston Cougars have retooled their roster through the transfer portal, bringing in several key additions to complement their returning players. Coach Kelvin Sampson is projected to field the following starting five for the 2026-27 season: point guard Mercy Miller, shooting guard Dedan Thomas Jr., small forward Chase McCarty, power forward Delrecco Gillespie, and center Joseph Tugler.

Why it matters

After losing almost an entire starting five from last season, Sampson has aggressively rebuilt the Cougars' roster through the transfer portal. This new-look starting lineup aims to blend experienced talent with emerging young stars, providing a balanced mix of scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence to get Houston back to the NCAA Tournament's third weekend.

The details

Mercy Miller, a now-junior guard, has illustrated starter potential at the point after impactful bench performances last season. LSU transfer Dedan Thomas Jr. brings similar scoring and playmaking ability to what the Cougars lost with the departure of L.J. Cryer. Chase McCarty, a sophomore forward, showed his 3-point shooting prowess late last season and will slide into the starting small forward role. Kent State transfer Delrecco Gillespie, an All-MAC First Team selection, will provide a double-double threat at power forward, while senior center Joseph Tugler returns to anchor the paint.

  • Sampson has retooled the Cougars' roster through the transfer portal ahead of the 2026-27 season.
  • The Cougars are coming off a season where they lost almost an entire starting five to graduation and the transfer portal.

The players

Mercy Miller

A now-junior guard who has illustrated starter potential at the point after impactful bench performances last season.

Dedan Thomas Jr.

An LSU transfer who brings similar scoring and playmaking ability to what the Cougars lost with the departure of L.J. Cryer.

Chase McCarty

A sophomore forward who showed his 3-point shooting prowess late last season and will slide into the starting small forward role.

Delrecco Gillespie

A Kent State transfer and All-MAC First Team selection who will provide a double-double threat at power forward.

Joseph Tugler

A senior center who returns to anchor the paint for the Cougars.

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What they’re saying

“Mercy Miller has illustrated starter potential at the point through his growth off the bench last season.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Head Coach, Houston Cougars

“Dedan Thomas Jr. brings similar production to what L.J. Cryer had at the 2 as a combo guard in 2024-25.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Head Coach, Houston Cougars

“Both members of our 2023 incoming class had starter potential for 2026-27, and now-sophomore Chase McCarty has shown those capabilities.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Head Coach, Houston Cougars

What’s next

The Cougars will look to integrate their new-look starting five during the offseason and build chemistry ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

The takeaway

Kelvin Sampson has aggressively rebuilt the Houston Cougars' roster through the transfer portal, assembling a starting five that blends experienced talent with emerging young stars. This retooled lineup aims to get the Cougars back to the NCAA Tournament's third weekend after losing almost an entire starting five from last season.