Houston's Kelvin Sampson praises freshman star Flemings after Big 12 tourney win

Sampson says Flemings and teammate McCarty showed no signs of pressure in clutch moments against BYU.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:23pm

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Houston basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson heaped praise on freshman point guard Kingston Flemings after he hit a crucial late 3-pointer to help the Cougars defeat BYU in the Big 12 tournament. Sampson said he doesn't believe Flemings or teammate Chase McCarty, who also hit a big 3 down the stretch, feel pressure in big moments. Flemings led Houston with 17 points, while fellow freshman Chris Cenac Jr. added 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Why it matters

Houston is one of the top teams in the loaded Big 12 conference this season, and Flemings has emerged as a superstar freshman leading the way. The Cougars' ability to win close games in the tournament will be crucial to their NCAA title hopes, making Sampson's confidence in his young stars an important storyline.

The details

Trailing BYU 61-58 late, Houston got a clutch 3-pointer from Chase McCarty to tie the game. Then with the shot clock winding down, Flemings calmly drained a 3-pointer while being guarded by two defenders to give Houston a 67-61 lead and seal the win. Flemings was the leading scorer for Houston for the 19th time this season with 17 points. Freshman Chris Cenac Jr. also had a strong game with 10 points and 7 rebounds.

  • The game was played on March 13, 2026 in the Big 12 tournament.

The players

Kelvin Sampson

The head coach of the Houston basketball team, known for developing talented players and leading the Cougars to success in the Big 12.

Kingston Flemings

A superstar freshman point guard for Houston who has led the team in scoring 19 times this season and hit a clutch 3-pointer late to help defeat BYU in the Big 12 tournament.

Chase McCarty

A 20-year-old sophomore guard for Houston who hit a crucial 3-pointer late to tie the game against BYU, showing he can also make big plays for the Cougars.

Chris Cenac Jr.

A freshman forward for Houston who had 10 points and 7 rebounds in the win over BYU, providing a strong presence around the rim.

Joseph Tugler

A junior forward for Houston who recorded 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in the tournament win.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Houston will face the winner of the Kansas-Baylor game in the Big 12 tournament semifinals on March 15.

The takeaway

Houston's young stars Flemings and McCarty showed poise and confidence in the clutch moments against BYU, a promising sign for the Cougars' NCAA tournament hopes as they look to make a deep run in March.