Houston Cougars Grace the Cover of SLAM Magazine

UH basketball's rise to star power is on full display.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The No. 2 Houston Cougars have been one of the top stories in college basketball this decade. Houston went from the greatness of the Phi Slama Jama days to a forgotten program in the early 2000s. The Cougars are now back in the national spotlight of college basketball thanks to a historic revitalization of the program led by Kelvin Sampson. Houston's run to the national championship last season only got more deserved eyes on its story. UH has turned into a key player in college hoops, and the expectations are high with this current group of returning players and some of the top freshmen talent in the country.

Why it matters

Being on the cover of SLAM, the most prominent basketball magazine in the country, can be a huge sense of pride. It's now Houston's time, as the Cougars have finally made it to the cover and received their own edition of the magazine that was circulated online on Friday morning.

The details

The magazine features the three prominent freshmen: point guard Kingston Flemings, center Chris Cenac Jr. and guard Isiah Harwell. It also shines the spotlight on the three veteran leaders in junior forward Joseph Tugler, senior point guard Milos Uzan, and senior guard Emanuel Sharp. The spotlight has continuously grown for Houston over the past few seasons since it entered the Big 12 conference. Houston's utter dominance in the best basketball conference in the country has gotten the attention of the college hoops world.

  • The magazine was circulated online on February 20, 2026.

The players

Kelvin Sampson

The head coach who has led the historic revitalization of the Houston Cougars basketball program.

Kingston Flemings

A freshman point guard for the Houston Cougars who has emerged as a key part of the team.

Chris Cenac Jr.

A freshman center for the Houston Cougars.

Isiah Harwell

A freshman guard for the Houston Cougars.

Joseph Tugler

A junior forward and veteran leader for the Houston Cougars.

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What they’re saying

“Sharp's got an ill-turned jump shot, meaning that he doesn't go straight up and down when he rises. It's not what the basketball textbook teaches, but it is what actually playing the game teaches.”

— Emanuel Sharp, Senior Guard (SLAM Magazine)

The takeaway

Houston's basketball program has undergone a remarkable resurgence, going from a forgotten program to a national powerhouse. The Cougars' appearance on the cover of SLAM Magazine is a testament to their hard work, talent, and the leadership of coach Kelvin Sampson. With a mix of experienced veterans and promising freshmen, the Cougars are poised to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament and cement their status as one of the top programs in college basketball.