Kelvin Sampson is now returning three starters from a team that came one shot away from cutting down the nets in last season.

With Uzan’s decision, the Cougars return three starters, along with second-leading scorer Emanuel Sharp and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Joseph Tugler, from a team that posted a school-record 35 wins, swept the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, and reached the national championship game .

Houston guard Milos Uzan withdrew his name from the 2025 NBA Draft and will return to the Cougars in 2025-26, he announced Tuesday.