About the Houston Basketball
Phi Slama Jama
Houston reached three consecutive Final Fours from 1982 through 1984 and played in the national championship games in 1983 and 1984. Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon helped define the Phi Slama Jama era, which made Houston known for its fast breaks and dunks.
From the American to the Big 12
Houston joined the Big 12 on July 1, 2023, after a decade in the American Athletic Conference. The Cougars won the Big 12 regular-season title in their first season, finishing 15–3 in conference play in 2023–24.
Kelvin Sampson became head coach in 2014. Under Sampson, Houston reached the Final Four in 2021 and the national championship game in 2025.
