Last season marked a successful year for Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars, who secured the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 before their elimination. While Jamal Shead has moved on to the NBA, the Cougars are anticipating a competitive roster for the 2024-25 season. This week, Houston bolstered that roster with the addition of Isiah Harwell, as reported by Joe Tipton of On3 Sports.
Isaiah Harwell’s commitment makes him the highest-ranked recruit in the history of the program. Regarded as a five-star talent, he is among the premier high school basketball players in Utah. A member of the class of 2025, Harwell is set to conclude his senior season this year at the renowned Wasatch Academy.
In an interview with On3 Sports, Harwell explained that his decision to commit to the Cougars was influenced by the strong culture coach Sampson has built within the program.
“I chose Houston because the culture fit. I feel like I can thrive and succeed there and I believe in Coach Sampson and his whole staff,” Harwell stated. “Coach Sampson has a way with speaking that just makes me motivated and ready to play. He also has a lot of experience and knows what he’s looking for.”
As a shooting guard, Harwell showcases confidence in making plays with the basketball. Although the Cougars will have a roster full of experienced upperclassmen next season, Harwell could step in and make an immediate impact.
Houston aiming for another successful season
As the 2024 NCAA Tournament approached, the Cougars were viewed as strong contenders for the national championship. However, their journey ended in the Sweet 16 due to an injury to standout guard Jamal Shead. Shead has since entered the NBA after being selected by the Toronto Raptors. Nevertheless, Houston still boasts a talented and seasoned group.
Harwell isn’t the only celebrated high school recruit joining Houston for the upcoming season. He will be joined by Mercy Miller from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High School in California and Chase McCarty from IMG Academy in Florida, both of whom are also top-100 prospects.
Houston has managed to minimize losses to the transfer portal, with Damian Dunn being the only player transferring to Pittsburgh. To compensate for Shead’s departure, the Cougars have added point guard Milos Uzan from Oklahoma through the transfer portal.
Leading the team once again will be L.J. Cryer, who was the leading scorer for the Cougars last season. Additionally, the return of Terrance Arceneaux, who missed most of the 2023-24 season due to an Achilles injury, is expected to provide a significant boost.
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