University of Houston Athletics
Men’s Basketball Welcomes Dedan Thomas Jr
4/22/2026 2:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Transfer joins Cougars after competing at LSU and UNLV
HOUSTON – Guard Dedan Thomas Jr will compete for the University of Houston Men's Basketball program during the 2026-27 season after signing a scholarship agreement, Head Coach Kelvin Sampson announced Wednesday.
Thomas – whose first name is pronounced Dee-Dawn – will compete as a senior with the Cougars in 2026-27 and have one season of eligibility.
In his three collegiate seasons, he has scored more than 1,100 points while dishing out 400 assists with only 150 turnovers.
"Our point guard position has been the strength of our program. We have never not had a great point guard. Now, we slide to Dedan Thomas Jr., and we will just keep going," Sampson said. "DJ is a point guard's point guard. He can manage the game, and he understands the game at a freakishly high level. He is very smart and can get in the paint. He plays off his imagination and is very savvy. All of our guards are going to benefit from having DJ because he is going to make them all better."
Thomas joins the Cougars after competing as a junior at LSU during the 2025-26 season. He competed in 16 games and averaged 15.3 points and 6.5 assists per game before missing the final 16 games with a foot injury. He scored 23 points with four rebounds and seven assists at Boston College and posted 22 points with a season-high-tying 12 assists against Southern Miss.
Prior to LSU, Thomas played his first two collegiate seasons at UNLV, where his father, Dedan Thomas Sr., was an All-American from 1991 to 1994. As a sophomore in 2024-25, the younger Thomas averaged 15.6 points and 4.7 assists per game with five 20-point contests, including a season-high 22 points in games at Utah State, against New Mexico State and against Memphis on the way to being named to the All-Mountain West Conference Third Team.
As a freshman in 2023-24, Thomas enjoyed 25 double-digit scoring performances and recorded the first double-double of his career with 10 points and 11 rebounds against Utah State. He led the Rebels with 13.6 points and 5.2 assists per game while hitting 36.2 percent of his 3-point attempts.
He set the Mountain West Conference record for single-season assists by a freshman (174) and led all freshman in the nation with his assists average. For his impressive performance, Thomas was named to the All-Mountain West Conference Second Team and was recognized as a league Freshman of the Year.
Thomas was an award-winning high school star in his native Nevada before entering the collegiate ranks. He averaged 22.8 points and 5.1 assists per game as a senior at Liberty High School, leading the Patriots to the state championship game as a senior for the second straight season. He was honored as the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Nevada that season.
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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.
Thomas – whose first name is pronounced Dee-Dawn – will compete as a senior with the Cougars in 2026-27 and have one season of eligibility.
In his three collegiate seasons, he has scored more than 1,100 points while dishing out 400 assists with only 150 turnovers.
"Our point guard position has been the strength of our program. We have never not had a great point guard. Now, we slide to Dedan Thomas Jr., and we will just keep going," Sampson said. "DJ is a point guard's point guard. He can manage the game, and he understands the game at a freakishly high level. He is very smart and can get in the paint. He plays off his imagination and is very savvy. All of our guards are going to benefit from having DJ because he is going to make them all better."
Thomas joins the Cougars after competing as a junior at LSU during the 2025-26 season. He competed in 16 games and averaged 15.3 points and 6.5 assists per game before missing the final 16 games with a foot injury. He scored 23 points with four rebounds and seven assists at Boston College and posted 22 points with a season-high-tying 12 assists against Southern Miss.
Prior to LSU, Thomas played his first two collegiate seasons at UNLV, where his father, Dedan Thomas Sr., was an All-American from 1991 to 1994. As a sophomore in 2024-25, the younger Thomas averaged 15.6 points and 4.7 assists per game with five 20-point contests, including a season-high 22 points in games at Utah State, against New Mexico State and against Memphis on the way to being named to the All-Mountain West Conference Third Team.
As a freshman in 2023-24, Thomas enjoyed 25 double-digit scoring performances and recorded the first double-double of his career with 10 points and 11 rebounds against Utah State. He led the Rebels with 13.6 points and 5.2 assists per game while hitting 36.2 percent of his 3-point attempts.
He set the Mountain West Conference record for single-season assists by a freshman (174) and led all freshman in the nation with his assists average. For his impressive performance, Thomas was named to the All-Mountain West Conference Second Team and was recognized as a league Freshman of the Year.
Thomas was an award-winning high school star in his native Nevada before entering the collegiate ranks. He averaged 22.8 points and 5.1 assists per game as a senior at Liberty High School, leading the Patriots to the state championship game as a senior for the second straight season. He was honored as the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Nevada that season.
BUY TICKETS
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.
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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