University of Houston Athletics
Men’s Basketball 2026 NBA Draft Notes
6/22/2026 4:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cougars enjoy long, rich history in NBA Draft as 2026 event begins tonight
HOUSTON – In 1984, the University of Houston enjoyed its greatest single NBA Draft. Two Men's Basketball student-athletes were selected, but three Cougars were taken.
What does that mean? How is that possible? We will tell you later in this story.
On Tueday night, University of Houston Men's Basketball point guard Kingston Flemings, forward Chris Cenac Jr., guard Emanuel Sharp and point guard Milos Uzan will take the next steps in their playing careers during the NBA Draft inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
For a complete breakdown of NBA Draft history, fans are invited to click here.
HOW to WATCH
Fans can watch NBA Draft Red-Carpet coverage beginning at 4 p.m. (CDT), Tuesday, on ESPN or by clicking here. The Draft preview show begins at 6 p.m. (CDT), Tuesday, and can be seen by clicking here.
NBA Draft First-Round coverage begins at 7 p.m. (CDT), Tuesday, and can be seen on ABC or ESPN or by clicking here. The Second Round begins at 7 p.m. (CDT), Wednesday, and can be seen on ESPN or by clicking here.
MOCK NBA DRAFTS
as of June 21, 2026
See where various media organizations have the four Cougars going in their mock drafts.
NBA DRAFT HISTORY by TEAMS
Twenty-one (21) NBA teams have selected Cougars during the NBA Draft.
The Chicago Bulls have taken the most Cougars with five selections (Rickie Winslow, 1987 • Reid Gettys, 1985 • Larry Micheaux, 1983 • Steve Newsome, 1973 and our mystery Cougar… More to come later)
Thirteen (13) NBA teams have selected multiple Cougars in their history. That group includes the Bulls (5), Boston Celtics (4), Los Angeles/Minneapolis Lakers (4), Atlanta/St. Louis Hawks (3), Houston/San Diego Rockets (3), Philadelphia 76ers (3), Phoenix Suns (3), Portland Trail Blazers (3), Sacramento/Kansas City Kings/Rochester Royals (3), Washington Wizards/Baltimore Bullets, Cleveland Cavaliers (2), Detroit Pistons (2) and New York Knicks (2).
Nine current NBA teams (Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and Utah/New Orleans Jazz) have not drafted a Cougar during their histories.
OLDEST & MOST RECENT DRAFT PICKS
Point guard Jamal Shead is the most recent Cougar to be drafted. He was taken with the #45 overall pick in the Second Round by the Toronto Raptors of the 2024 Draft.
Charles Raynor was the first Houston Men's Basketball student-athlete to be taken in the NBA Draft. He was chosen by the Baltimore Bullets with the #41 overall pick in the Fifth Round of the 1947 NBA Draft.
FIRST-ROUND SELECTIONS
Fourteen (14) Cougars have been picked from the First Round of the NBA Draft.
Forward Jarace Walker (Indiana Pacers • #8 overall) and guard Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons (#25 overall) are the Cougars' most recent First-Round picks.
They are joined in Houston's First-Round history by…
| Player | Position | Team | Pick | Year |
| Quentin Grimes | Guard | New York Knicks | #25 overall | 2021 |
| Greg Anderson | Center | San Antonio Spurs | #23 overall | 1987 |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Center | Houston Rockets | #1 overall | 1984 |
| Michael Young | Forward | Boston Celtics | #24 overall | 1984 |
| Clyde Drexler | Guard | Portland Trail Blazers | #14 overall | 1983 |
| Rob Williams | Guard | Denver Nuggets | #19 overall | 1982 |
| Otis Birdsong | Guard | Kansas City Kings | #2 overall | 1977 |
| Dwight Jones | Forward | Atlanta Hawks | #9 overall | 1973 |
| Dwight Davis | Forward | Cleveland Cavaliers | #3 overall | 1972 |
| Elvin Hayes | Forward | San Diego Rockets | #1 overall | 1968 |
| Don Chaney | Guard | Boston Celtics | #12 overall | 1968 |
| Gary Phillips | Guard | Boston Celtics | #9 overall | 1961 |
MULTIPLE FIRST-ROUND PICKS in ONE DRAFT
Houston has enjoyed three drafts with multiple First-Round picks.
That group includes…
2023
| Player | Team | Pick |
| Jarace Walker | Indiana Pacers | #8 overall |
| Marcus Sasser | Detroit Pistons | #25 overall |
1984
| Player | Team | Pick |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets | #1 overall |
| Michael Young | Boston Celtics | #24 overall |
1968
| Player | Team | Pick |
| Elvin Hayes | San Diego Rockets | #1 overall |
| Don Chaney | Boston Celtics | #12 overall |
#1 OVERALL PICKS
Houston Men's Basketball has enjoyed two NBA Draft #1 overall picks during its history.
Center Hakeem Olajuwon was taken by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 Draft. Center Elvin Hayes was selected by the San Diego Rockets at the top of the 1968 Draft. Both stars went on to Hall of Fame careers.
Houston is one of only 18 schools with multiple #1 overall NBA Draft selections.
That group includes…
| School | Year | Year | Year | Year | Year |
| Duke | 2025 | 2022 | 2019 | 2011 | 1999 |
| Kentucky | 2015 | 2012 | 2010 | ||
| HOUSTON | 1984 | 1968 | |||
| Cincinnati | 2000 | 1960 | |||
| Duquesne | 1956 | 1955 | |||
| Georgetown | 1996 | 1985 | |||
| Indiana | 1977 | 1961 | |||
| Kansas | 2014 | 1988 | |||
| Kansas State | 1959 | 1949 | |||
| LSU | 2016 | 1992 | |||
| Maryland | 1995 | 1976 | |||
| Michigan | 1993 | 1966 | |||
| North Carolina | 1986 | 1982 | |||
| Purdue | 1994 | 1980 | |||
| UCLA | 1974 | 1969 | |||
| UNLV | 2013 | 1991 | |||
| Utah | 2005 | 1962 | |||
| West Virginia | 1957 | 1952 |
NBA DRAFT HISTORY by OVERALL PICK
The #25 overall pick has been the most popular in Houston's Draft history with three Cougars being taken at that spot.
#25
| Player | Position | Team | Year |
| Marcus Sasser | Guard | Detroit Pistons | 2023 |
| Quentin Grimes | Guard | New York Knicks | 2021 |
| Lyle Harger | Center | Los Angeles Lakers | 1963 |
Six other spots have been used multiple times to take Cougars. That group includes.
#1
| Player | Position | Team | Year |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Center | Houston Rockets | 1984 |
| Elvin Hayes | Center | San Diego Rockets | 1968 |
#9
| Player | Position | Team | Year |
| Dwight Jones | Forward | Atlanta Hawks | 1973 |
| Gary Phillips | Guard | Boston Celtics | 1961 |
#44
| Player | Position | Team | Year |
| Damyean Dotson | Guard | New York Knicks | 2017 |
| Alvaro Teheran | Center | Philadelphia 76ers | 1991 |
#78
| Player | Position | Team | Year |
| David Marrs | Forward | Houston Rockets | 1976 |
| Maurice Presley | Center | Portland Trail Blazers | 1976 |
#86
| Player | Position | Team | Year |
| Arthur Helms | Forward | St. Louis Hawks | 1956 |
| Royce Ray | Guard | Rochester Royals | 1952 |
#189
| Player | Position | Team | Year |
| Kenneth Williams | Guard | Dallas Mavericks | 1980 |
| Ollie Taylor | Guard | Cleveland Cavaliers | 1970 |
HOUSTON UNDERCLASSMEN in NBA DRAFT
Ten (10) Cougars have been selected as non-seniors in the NBA Draft.
That group includes…
| Player | Class | Position | Team | Round | Pick | Year |
| Jarace Walker | Freshman | Forward | Indiana Pacers | First | #8 | 2023 |
| Quentin Grimes | Junior | Guard | New York Knicks | Second | #44 | 2021 |
| Alton Ford | Freshman | Forward | Phoenix Suns | Second | #51 | 2001 |
| Carl Herrera | Junior | Forward | Miami Heat | Second | #30 | 1990 |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Junior | Center | Houston Rockets | First | #1 | 1984 |
| Clyde Drexler | Junior | Guard | Portland Trail Blazers | First | #14 | 1983 |
| Rob Williams | Junior | Guard | Denver Nuggets | First | #19 | 1982 |
| Dwight Jones | Junior | Forward | Atlanta Hawks | First | #9 | 1973 |
| Don Boldebuck | Junior | Center | Minneapolis Lakers | Eighth | #62 | 1955 |
| Charles Rayner | Junior | Center | Baltimore Bullets | Fifth | #41 | 1947 |
HOUSTON FRESHMEN in NBA DRAFT
Only two (2) Cougars have been selected as freshmen in the NBA Draft.
That group includes…
| Player | Class | Position | Team | Round | Pick | Year |
| Jarace Walker | Freshman | Forward | Indiana Pacers | First | #8 | 2023 |
| Alton Ford | Freshman | Forward | Phoenix Suns | Second | #51 | 2001 |
TWICE IS NICE
Center Don Boldebuck is the only Cougar to be selected twice in the NBA Draft.
He was first taken with the #62 pick by the Minneapolis Lakers in the Eighth Round of the 1955 Draft. One year later, Boldebuck was selected with the #46 overall pick of the Sixth Round by the Boston Celtics.
COACH KELVIN SAMPSON's NBA DRAFT HISTORY IN FIRST ROUND
Leading NBA Draft First-Round talent throughout his career is nothing new for Head Coach Kelvin Sampson. Entering Tuesday's First Round, Sampson has guided seven student-athletes selected in the First Round of the NBA Draft.
His Houston ledger includes forward Jarace Walker (2023 • Indiana Pacers • #8 overall) and guard Marcus Sasser (2023 • Detroit Pistons • #23 overall) and guard Quentin Grimes (2021 • New York Knicks • #25 overall).
Sampson's First-Round picks include…
HOUSTON (2014 – present)
| Player | Position | Pick | Team | Year |
| Jarace Walker | Forward | #8 overall | Indiana Pacers | 2023 |
| Marcus Sasser | Guard | #25 overall | Detroit Pistons | 2023 |
INDIANA (2006-08)
| Player | Position | Pick | Team | Year |
| Jordan Crawford | Guard | #27 overall | New Jerset Nets | 2010 |
| Eric Gordon | Guard | #7 overall | Los Angeles Clippers | 2008 |
| D.J. White | Forward | #19 overall | Utah Jazz | 2008 |
OKLAHOMA (1994-06)
| Player | Position | Pick | Team | Year |
| Ryan Humphrey | Forward | #19 overall | Utah Jazz | 2002 |
COACH KELVIN SAMPSON's NBA DRAFT HISTORY
Houston Coach Kelvin Sampson and his staffs have developed NBA talent throughout his award-winning career wherever he has worked.
Entering his 13th season with the Cougars in 2026-27, Sampson has coached and/or recruited 17 players who were selected in the NBA Draft.
His tally includes five (5) student-athletes with Houston, three (3) with Indiana six (6) with Oklahoma and two (2) with Washington State.
Sampson has enjoyed two NBA Draft with two of his student-athletes selected.
Houston forward Jarace Walker (Indiana Pacers • #8 overall) and guard Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons • #23 overall) were taken in the 2023 Draft while Indiana's Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers • #7 overall) and D.J. Brown (Detroit Pistons • #29 overall) were selected in the 2008 Draft.
HOUSTON (2014 – )
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | Team | Year |
| Jamal Shead | Guard | Second | #45 overall | Indiana Pacers | 2024 |
| Jarace Walker | Forward | First | #8 overall | Indiana Pacers | 2023 |
| Marcus Sasser | Guard | First | #25 overall | Detroit Pistons | 2023 |
| Quentin Grimes | Guard | First | #25 overall | New York Knicks | 2021 |
| Damyean Dotson | Guard | Second | #44 overall | New York Knicks | 2017 |
INDIANA (2006-08)
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | Team | Year |
| Jordan Crawford | Guard | First | #27 overall | New Jersey Nets | 2010 |
| Eric Gordon | Guard | First | #7 overall | Los Angeles Clippers | 2008 |
| D.J. White | Forward | First | #29 overall | Detroit Pistons | 2008 |
OKLAHOMA (1994-06)
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | Team | Year |
| Taylor Griffin | Guard | Second | #48 overall | Phoenix Suns | 2009 |
| Ryan Humphrey | Forward | First | #9 overall | Utah Jazz | 2002 |
| Eduardo Najera | Forward | Second | #38 overall | Houston Rockets | 2000 |
| Corey L. Brewer | Guard | Second | #51 overall | Miami Heat | 1998 |
| Nate Erdmann | Guard | Second | #56 overall | Utah Jazz | 1997 |
| Ryan Minor | Forward | Second | #32 overall | Philadelphia 76ers | 1996 |
WASHINGTON STATE (1987-94)
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | Team | Year |
| Mark Hendrickson | Forward | Second | #31 overall | Philadelphia 76ers | 1996 |
| Brian Quinnett | Forward | Second | #50 overall | New York Knicks | 1989 |
MONTANA TECH (1981-85)
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | Team | Year |
| Brian Vaughns | Forward | Fifth | #110 overall | Milwaukee Bucks | 1987 |
ANSWER
So… How were three Cougars taken but only two Men's Basketball stars selected during the 1984 NBA Draft?
That year, Houston Track and Field legend Carl Lewis was taken in the 10th Round with the #208 overall pick by the Chicago Bulls… despite never playing basketball in college.
Being selected in out-of-his-sport drafts was nothing new for Lewis that year. That same season, he was taken in the 12th Round with the #334 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1984 NFL Draft… despite never playing football in college.
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 supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective – 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.
