The Houston Cougars are in rebuild mode after a strong overall season that ended with the disappointment of a Sweet 16 exit in the NCAA Tournament. Kelvin Sampson has already made significant changes to his roster, with more to come.
Here’s the latest on the Cougars’ departures and additions in the transfer portal as they look to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament next season.
Houston Cougars’ 2026 Transfer Portal Tracker
Players Leaving in the Transfer Portal
- Isiah Harwell
- Cedric Lath
- Jacob McFarland
Harwell decided to enter the transfer portal after being limited to a bit-part role with the Cougars. The guard averaged 3.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists while playing 13.8 minutes per game in his freshman year.
Lath is headed to Nevada after averaging 0.5 points and 0.7 rebounds for the Cougars in his junior year.
McFarland’s time with the Cougars was marred by injuries, and he hopes for better luck at his next college.
Confirmed Departures
- Chris Cenac Jr.
- Kingston Flemings
- Milos Uzan
- Emanuel Sharp
Cenac Jr. has declared for the NBA Draft after his freshman year with Houston. The forward averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Cougars last season.
Flemings is also set to take the next step in his career and has declared for the NBA Draft. The guard enjoyed a strong freshman year with Houston, averaging 16.1 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.1 rebounds.
Uzan is out of eligibility after spending the last two seasons of his college basketball career with Houston. He averaged 11.1 points while starting 37 games last season.
Sharp was also a starter for Houston last season, but is now out of eligibility. He averaged 15.5 points on 41.3% shooting in his senior year.
Key Houston Players With Remaining Eligibility
- Joseph Tugler
- Mercy Miller
- Chase McCarty
Tugler returns to Houston for his senior year after starting 36 games last season. He averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Miller showcased glimpses of his potential during his sophomore year, averaging 5.0 points per game off the bench. He will look to become a starter for the Cougars during his junior year.
McCarty averaged 4.1 points on 40.9% shooting off the bench for Houston in his freshman year. The forward will also be back for Sampson’s Cougars next season.
Houston’s Incoming Players
- Dedan Thomas Jr.
- Delrecco Gillespie
- Corey Hadnot II
- Braden East
- Arafan Diane
- Ikenna Alozie
Sampson has been very active in the transfer portal, bringing in Thomas from LSU. The point guard averaged 15.3 points on 45.9% shooting in his junior year, but did spend significant time on the sidelines due to a hand injury.
Gillespie joins Houston after averaging a double-double for Kent State last season, with 17.7 points and 11.3 rebounds.
Hadnot joins Houston for his senior year after three seasons with the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons. The guard averaged 20.4 points on 52.0% shooting last season.
East arrives from the Lamar Cardinals, where he averaged 12.8 points and 9.1 rebounds in his sophomore year.
Diane and Alozie are both part of Houston’s 2026 recruiting class, and the former is regarded as one of the top centers in the class.
