Houston basketball’s Kelvin Sampson makes bold transfer portal claim amid Jamal Shead’s potential departure

The Houston basketball team had a terrific first season in the Big 12 this year as they won the regular season title and they earned a one seed in the NCAA Tournament. Their run unfortunately ended earlier than they were expecting as they lost to #4 seed Duke in the Sweet 16. Houston star Jamal Shead was injured early in that game, and that certainly made things difficult for the Cougars. Shead is a senior, and he is not expected to return next season.

According to Houston basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, Jamal Shead made his decision about next season awhile ago. Sampson was asked if there is anything official, but he knows that is for Shead to announce, not him.

“He made a decision a long time ago,” Kelvin Sampson said, according to a tweet from Joseph Duarte “…That’s not for me to say.”

With Shead likely departing, Houston will need a new point guard next season, and the transfer portal can come in handy with that. The transfer portal is open right now, and it has been a big topic of discussion among coaches as of late. Some don’t like that it opens up while the NCAA Tournament is still happening. Like it or not, it is crucial to utilize it, and Sampson knows that.

“If you are not utilizing the transfer portal today then you’re getting behind,” Sampson said. “The portal has been great for us.”

That has to be good to hear if you’re a Cougars fan. Houston basketball has built something special, and they want to continue to move in the right direction. Sampson is confident that the portal is going to be good for them, and he is confident that they will be just fine at the PG position next year.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say we’re going to have a good point guard next season,” Sampson said.

Jamal Shead has had a great career with Houston