Coach Kelvin Sampson Named Finalist for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Kelvin Sampson, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Finalist

HOUSTON – University of Houston Men's Basketball Head Coach Kelvin Sampson was selected as a finalist for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Wednesday evening.

With his selection, Sampson moves one step closer to enshrinement in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

His name now will be presented to the Honors Committee, consisting of Hall of Famers, basketball executives and administrators, media members and other experts in the game of basketball.

A finalist must receive a minimum of 18 votes from the Honors Committee to be enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Sampson joined Joey Crawford (referee), Mark Few (coach), Blake Griffin (player), Kevin Johnson (player), Gary McKnight (coach), Doc Rivers (coach), Amar'e Stoudemire (player), Jerry Welsh (coach) and Buck Williams (player) as finalists from the North American Committee.

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be announced at 11 a.m., April 4, in a live broadcast on ESPN2 during Final Four weekend.

The Class of 2026 Enshrinement Weekend will be held August 14-16. It begins with the Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala on August 14 at the Mohegan Sun followed by the Enshrinement Ceremony on August 15 at Symphony Hall.

Kelvin Sampson holds NCAA Final Four trophy aloft after winning NCAA Elite matchup vs. Tennessee inside Lucas Oil Stadium

Kelvin Sampson holds NCAA Final Four trophy aloft after winning NCAA Elite matchup vs. Tennessee inside Lucas Oil Stadium

ABOUT KELVIN SAMPSON
In more than 36 seasons as a head coach, Sampson has compiled an 821-356 record with 20 NCAA Tournament appearances during his career. He is one of only 15 coaches in NCAA history to lead 4+ schools to the NCAA Tournament and is one of only 16 coaches to lead multiple schools to the NCAA Final Four.

In his career, he has been named a National Coach of the Year 14 times with five honors during the 2023-24 season alone. Sampson has received 10 conference Coach of the Year awards from five different leagues and guided every program he has led to multiple 20-win seasons during his stints.

In more than 11 seasons at Houston, Sampson has led the Cougars to seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances – including the 2025 NCAA National Championship Game and the 2021 NCAA Final Four – six American Athletic Conference titles, two Big 12 Conference regular-season crowns and one Big 12 Tournament championship. He became the second-winningest coach in Houston history during the 2020-21 season and ranks as the school's career leader with a .789 winning percentage.

Sampson is the only coach in Houston history to lead the Cougars to five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 and 11 consecutive 20-win seasons as well as three and four consecutive 30-win campaigns.

This season, Sampson has led Houston to a 22-2 overall record and a 10-1 mark in Big 12 play to tie for the league lead. The Cougars – currently ranked #3 in both national polls – have been ranked among the Top 10 in both polls all season and have stood among the Associated Press Top 25 for 120 consecutive weeks, the nation's longest active streak.

With a 19-1 conference record, Sampson's 2024-25 Cougars set Big 12 and school single-season records with their victory total. Houston reached that milestone with a perfect 10-0 road in Big 12 road games, becoming the first school in a major conference in NCAA history to do that in a season.

A year ago, Sampson's Cougars became the first team in more than a century to join a major conference and win consecutive regular-season titles in their first two years in the league.

During his Oklahoma tenure, he guided the Sooners to 10 consecutive 20-win seasons, the 2002 Final Four, the 1999 Sweet 16 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2003. From 1994 to 2006, he led the Sooners to NCAA Tournament appearances in 11 of 12 years.

In the classroom, numerous student-athletes have received their bachelor's degrees with one earning his master's degree under Sampson's leadership at Houston.

His Cougars have been active leaders in their community, passing out Thanksgiving lunches to Star of Hope Mission residents, leading a Texas Special Olympics event inside the Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, working with Shriners Children's Hospital, inviting Team Impact students as team members, partnering with the city of Houston's BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions, visiting with patients at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital, distributing meals to families at the Richard M. Schulze Family Hope Lodge Houston and participating in Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers week during Sampson's tenure.

BUY TICKETS
Single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. The two-time defending Big 12 Conference Champions, Houston will play host to nine Big 12 games inside Fertitta Center, starting Tuesday night vs. Texas Tech.

Fans interested in purchasing group tickets may complete this form to be contacted by a member of the Houston Athletics Tickets Sales staff.

Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.

BUY TICKETS
Single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. The two-time defending Big 12 Conference Champions, Houston will play host to four more conference games in 2025-26.

Fans interested in purchasing group tickets may complete this form to be contacted by a member of the Houston Athletics Tickets Sales staff.

Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.

UP NEXT
• Following Tuesday's game, Houston returns to the Fertitta Center to face Kansas State at 3 p.m., Saturday. That game will air on Peacock.
• Fans should note Saturday's 3 p.m., start, in a change from earlier published schedules.
• From there, the Cougars take on #7/7 Iowa State at 8 p.m., Monday, February 16, inside Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. That game will air on ESPN.
• Houston then plays host to #1/1 Arizona at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 21, inside Fertitta Center. That game will air on ESPN.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app and Sirius XM Radio.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.

– UHCougars.com –

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