Houston guard Kingston Flemings has made an immediate impact in his first year with the Cougars. In 11 games, the dynamic 6’4″ freshman is averaging 14.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.0 steals, powering the No. 8 Cougars to a 10-1 start.
Former Houston great Jamal Shead is helping Flemings learn the ropes of being a playmaker under Kelvin Sampson’s system through DMs and texts. The Cougar alumnus described the first-year player as a sponge who constantly absorbs knowledge and takes it to heart, frequently asking questions that help him develop in the long run.
Kingston Flemings Admits to Having DMs With Jamal Shead on How To Refine His Game
Houston has been a picture of consistency in the late 2010s and has carried over into the present. Since Sampson took over as coach in 2014, the Cougars have had 10 winning seasons and seven NCAA Tournament appearances between 2018 and 2025, including a Final Four appearance in 2021 and a runner-up finish this past season.
Knowing the program’s surge, Flemings, a four-star prospect from Brennan High School, is doing his best to help the Cougars continue their consistent postseason appearances. And so far, he has been a standout, becoming the team’s best swiper and second-best producer in points and assists.
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The San Antonio, Texas, native said he’s been able to cope with the demands and the rigors of college basketball thanks to Houston standout and Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead. Flemings said Shead has been helpful in his journey, offering meaningful on-court advice and engaging in online conversations.
The family-style culture that Houston has adopted since Sampson took over the team has allowed former players to reach out to current players and offer valuable advice on how to navigate the Cougars’ system and adapt to in-game situations, ultimately becoming better players.
“The program’s always been built on family. So, just seeing the former players come back into the games in the locker rooms, texting us back,” Flemings said. “Just seeing them continuing to be here is always good for the Cougars.”
Part of Houston’s dominance in the early 2020s, Jamal Shead has guided the Cougars to two Sweet Sixteen appearances, one Elite Eight appearance, and one Final Four qualification from 2021 to 2024.
The foundation that Shead was part of finally bore fruit last season as LJ Cryer, Emmanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan, Joseph Tugler, and J’Wan Roberts led Houston to a runner-up finish in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, beating Gonzaga, Purdue, Tennessee, and Duke along the way before losing to Florida by two points in the final.
Flemings Shares What He Wants To Learn From Jamal Shead
Flemings said it is an honor to learn from Shead. He noted that he’s still constantly texting him, asking for his take on some plays. The guard also seeks advice on how to work on his game to become a better player.
The freshman said he wants to pick up on Shead’s mind on how he operates on both sides of the court. Flemings added that he always asks the Houston standout how to become a great defender. He is especially interested in learning to conduct non-stop ball pressure against the opponents’ ball carriers.
“That’s kind of where I want to get to. Be like a pest on the ball pressure and the ball playing defense try looking at those ways,” he said.
Shead confirmed in an interview with the Houston Chronicle’s Joseph Duarte that he holds online conversations with Flemings and describes him as knowledgeable, comparing him to a sponge that easily absorbs and retains information.
The Raptors guard said in a separate interview that he’s giving back what Galen Robinson and DeJon “Deeky” Jarreau have done for him when he was still learning the ropes, and he thinks it is a pass-the-torch moment.
The help from Houston alumni has placed the Cougars among the leaders in the Big 12 men’s basketball standings with a 10-1 record. They’re coming off a 99-57 victory over New Orleans on Saturday to extend its winning streak to four games.
