University of Houston Men's Basketball

KELVIN SAMPSON Hometown Pembroke, N.C. College UNC Pembroke, 1978 Michigan State, 1980 Family wife, Karen; daughter, Lauren; son, Kellen; granddaughter, Maisy; grandson, Kylen COACHING EXPERIENCE Year Team, Position 2014 – Houston, Head Coach 2011-14 Houston Rockets, Assistant Coach 2008-11 Milwaukee Bucks, Assistant Coach 2006-08 Indiana, Head Coach 1994-06 Oklahoma, Head Coach 1987-94 Washington State, Head Coach 1981-85 Montana Tech, Head Coach 1980-81 Montana Tech, Assistant Coach/Interim Head Coach 1979-80 Michigan State, Graduate Assistant Coach CHAMPIONSHIPS Year Championship 2024-25 • Big 12 Champions • Big 12 Tournament Champions 2023-24 Big 12 Conference Champions 2022-23 American Athletic Champions 2021-22 • American Athletic Champions • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2020-21 American Athletic Tournament Champions 2019-20 American Athletic Champions 2018-19 American Athletic Champions 2004-05 Big 12 Champions 2002-03 Big 12 Tournament Champions 2001-02 Big 12 Tournament Champions 2000-01 Big 12 Tournament Champions 1984-85 Frontier Conference Champions 1983-84 Frontier Conference Champions POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE Year Experience 2025-26 NCAA Sweet 16 2024-25 NCAA National Finalist 2023-24 NCAA Sweet 16 2022-23 NCAA Sweet 16 2021-22 NCAA Elite Eight 2020-21 NCAA Final Four 2018-19 NCAA Sweet 16 2017-18 NCAA Second Round 2016-17 NIT First Round 2015-16 NIT First Round 2006-07 NCAA Second Round 2005-06 NCAA First Round 2004-05 NCAA Second Round 2003-04 NIT Secon

ALAN BISHOP Hometown Daleville, Ala. College Utah State '09; Southern Utah '13 Family Wife, Jessica Daughter, Jayda Son, A.J. PROFESSIONAL CAREER Year Team, Position 2017 – Houston, Director of Men's Basketball Sports Performance 2016-17 Utah State, Director of Olympics Strength & Conditioning Coach 2013-16 Utah State, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach 2012-13 UT Arlington, Men's Basketball Head Strenth & Conditioning Coach 2010-12 Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024-25 • NCAA National Finalist • NCAA Final Four • Big 12 Conference Champions • Big 12 Conference Tournament Champions 2023-24 • Big 12 Conference Champions 2022-23 • American Athletic Conference Tournament Champions 2021-22 • American Athletic Champions • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2020-21 • NCAA Final Four • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2019-20 American Athletic Champions 2018-19 American Athletic Champions NBA DRAFT SELECTIONS Year Experience 2024 Jamal Shead (Toronto Raptors) | Second Round | #45 pick 2023 Jarace Walker (Indiana Pacers) | First Round | #8 pick Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons) | First Round | #25 pick 2021 Quentin Grimes (New York Knicks) | First Round | #25 pick 2017 Damyean Dotson (New York Knicks) | Second Round | #44 pick COLLEGIATE PLAYING EXPERIENCE 2005-09 Utah State – Football Four-year letterman on defensive line Four-time Academic All-Conference honoree Five-time Whiteside Scholar Follow Alan Bishop on Twitter Alan Bishop joined the Uni

ANTHONY GOLDWIRE Hometown West Palm Beach, Fla. College Houston '20 Family Wife, Trenna Twin sons, Kaelin, Kourtland Daughters, Aliana, Anaya COACHING EXPERIENCE Year Team, Position 2021 – Houston, Director for Player Development 2020-21 Louisiana, Director for Student-Athlete Development 2014-16 Erie Bay Hawks, Assistant Coach 2010-13 Milwaukee Bucks, Assistant Coach CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024-25 • NCAA National Finalist • NCAA FInal Four • Big 12 Champions • Big 12 Tournament Champions 2023-24 Big 12 Champions 2022-23 American Athletic Tournament Champions 2021-22 • American Athletic Champions • American Athletic Tournament Champions NBA DRAFT SELECTIONS Year Experience 2024 Jamal Shead (Toronto Raptors) | Second Round | #45 pick 2023 Jarace Walker (Indiana Pacers) | First Round | #8 pick Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons) | First Round | #25 pick 2021 Quentin Grimes (New York Knicks) | First Round | #25 pick PROFESSIONAL PLAYING EXPERIENCE 2007-08 Aigaleo 2007 Lokomotiv-Kuban 2006-07 Panellinios 2006 Pamesa Valencia 2005-06 Yakima Sun Kings 2005 Los Angeles Clippers 2005 Milwaukee Bucks 2005 Detroit Pistons 2004 Milwaukee Bucks 2004 Criollos de Caguas 2004 New Jersey Nets 2004 Aris 2004 Minnesota Timberwolves 2003-04 Yakima Sun Kings 2003 Gigantes de Carolina 2003 Washington Wizards 2002-03 Yakima Sun Kings 2002 San Antonio Spurs 2001-02 Skipper Bologna 2001 Denver Nuggets 2000-01 Kansas City Knights 1999-00 FC Barcelona 1998-99 Olympiacos 1997-98 Denver Nuggets 1996-97 Charlotte Hor

BILAL BATLEY Hometown Houston, Texas College Oklahoma '07; Memphis '14 Family Wife – Marlania Son – Joseph PROFESSIONAL CAREER Year Team, Position 2021 – Houston, Director of Program Strategy & Player Relations 2017-21 Houston, Director of On-Campus Relations 2016-17 Dynasty Sports, Director 2015-16 Paris College, Head Coach 2014-15 UIW, Assistant Coach 2013-14 Paris College, Assistant Coach 2010-12 Navarro College, Assistant Coach 2009-10 Kentucky, Assistant Director of Operations 2009 John Lucas Resources, Head of Player Development 2008-09 Memphis, Assistant Director of Operations 2007-08 Indiana, Graduate Assistant 2010-13 Oklahoma, Student Manager 2001-04 Navarro College, Student Assistant CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024-25 • NCAA National Finalist • NCAA Final Four • Big 12 Champions • Big 12 Tournament Champions 2023-24 Big 12 Champions 2022-23 American Athletic Tournament Champions 2021-22 • American Athletic Champions • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2020-21 • NCAA Final Four • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2019-20 American Athletic Champions 2018-19 American Athletic Champions NBA DRAFT SELECTIONS Year Experience 2024 Jamal Shead (Toronto Raptors) | Second Round | #45 pick 2023 Jarace Walker (Indiana Pacers) | First Round | #8 pick Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons) | First Round | #25 pick 2021 Quentin Grimes (New York Knicks) | First Round | #25 pick Follow Bilal Batley on Twitter Bilal Batley joined the University of Houston Men’s Basketball program in June 2017

Longtime coaching veteran Bobby Champagne joined the University of Houston Men's Basketball program as its director of operations and basketball strategy in October 2021. This is the third school at which Champagne has worked for Sampson. He previously served as Sampson's assistant coach at Oklahoma from 1994 to 1997 and at Washington State from 1991 to 1994. In their years together, Sampson and Champagne have combined for 250 wins with nine postseason appearances, including eight NCAA Tournaments. In his role with the Cougars, Champagne works closely with Sampson and the coaching staff. His primary responsibilities include scheduling games, coordinating team travel, managing the program's budget, organizing day-to-day schedules and other operational duties. He also serves as liaison for the program to the Athletics Department and the University. Champagne came to Houston after serving as the head coach at Tharptown High School in Russellville, Ala. From 2003 to 2018 he served as the head coach at North Alabama. During that time, he compiled a 245-194 record with four NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight berth in 2008. His 2008 squad won the NCAA Division II South Regional championship and the Gulf South Conference Tournament as he was recognized as the South Region Coach of the Year by the NCAA. In addition to his work with Sampson at Washington State and Oklahoma, Champagne also served as an assistant coach at UTEP (2002-03), Georgia State (2001-02) and Lou

Eric Johanning joined the University of Houston Men's Basketball program in May 2025 and currently serves as assistant director of sports performance for the Houston Men's and Women's Basketball programs. Johanning works closely with Men's Director of Sports Performance Alan Bishop and Women's Director of Sports Performance Leila Petewon in creating strength and conditioning programs for student-athletes to maximize their physical and mental performances. Johanning joined the Cougars after working as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at Jacksonville State, where he worked with the Women's Soccer Team and assisted the Football program. Johanning worked as a director of performance in 2023 at Sports AdvantEdge in Beaver Dam, Wisc., where he programmed more than 300 athletes' strength and speed work. In 2022, he served as a strength and conditioning intern at Florida State and Wisconsin. Johanning the professional ranks as an assistant strength and speed coach at Parisi Speed School from 2020 to 2021. A native of Melbourne, Fla., Johanning played football, basketball, and threw shot and disc at Central Catholic High School. He earned All-State honors for two straight played defensive line and at left tackle. Following his high school career, he played at Florida Tech and received Freshman of the Year honors before the Football program was shut down due to the COVID pandemic. Transferring to Murray State, he completed his athletic career and earned his bachelor

HOLLIS PRICE Hometown New Orleans, La. College Oklahoma '11 Family Wife, Michel Son, Hollis II Stepson, Kalil Thomas COACHING EXPERIENCE Year Team, Position 2023 – Houston, Special Assistant to the Head Coach/Assistant Coach 2022-23 Houston, Assistant Coach 2021-22 Houston, Special Assistant to the Head Coach 2014-21 Houston, Director of Player Development 2013-14 Texas Legends, Assistant Coach (NBA Developmental League) CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024-25 • NCAA National Finalist • NCAA FInal Four • Big 12 Champions • Big 12 Tournament Champions 2023-24 Big 12 Champions 2022-23 American Athletic Tournament Champions 2021-22 • American Athletic Champions • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2020-21 • NCAA Final Four • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2019-20 American Athletic Champions 2018-19 American Athletic Champions NBA DRAFT SELECTIONS Year Experience 2024 Jamal Shead (Toronto Raptors) | Second Round | #45 pick 2023 Jarace Walker (Indiana Pacers) | First Round | #8 pick Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons) | First Round | #25 pick 2022 Quentin Grimes (New York Knicks) | First Round | #25 pick 2017 Damyean Dotson (New York Knicks | Second Round | #44 pick PROFESSIONAL PLAYING EXPERIENCE 2010-11 Alba Berlin 2010 Artland Dragos 2009 Olympia Milano 2008-09 Dynamo Moscow 2007-08 Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius 2006-07 Cajasol Sevilla 2005-06 Alba Berlin 2003-05 Le Mans France COLLEGIATE PLAYING EXPERIENCE 1999-03 Oklahoma School record 110 wins 2003 All-America Second Team (AP) 2002 All-Ameri

JOHN HOUSTON Hometown Fritch, Texas College Texas Tech '91; Kentucky, '94 Family Wife, Amie Son, Trey PROFESSIONAL CAREER Year Team, Position 2021 – Houston, Associate AD for Sports Medicine 2019-21 Houston, Assistant AD for Sports Medicine 1997-19 Houston, Associate Athletics Trainer 1994-97 Marshall, Assistant Athletics Trainer 1994 Georgetown College 1992-94 Kentucky, Graduate Assistant Athletics Trainer CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024-25 • NCAA National Finalist • NCAA Final Four • Big 12 Champions • Big 12 Tournament Champions 2023-24 Big 12 Champions 2022-23 American Athletic Tournament Champions 2021-22 • American Athletic Champions • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2020-21 • NCAA Final Four • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2019-20 American Athletic Champions 2018-19 American Athletic Champions 2009-10 Conference USA Tournament Champions NBA DRAFT SELECTIONS Year Experience 2024 Jamal Shead (Toronto Raptors) | Second Round | #45 pick 2023 Jarace Walker (Indiana Pacers) | First Round | #8 pick Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons) | First Round | #25 pick 2021 Quentin Grimes (New York Knicks) | First Round | #25 pick 2017 Damyean Dotson (New York Knicks) | Second Round | #44 pick 2001 Alton Ford (Phoenix Suns) | Second Round | #50 pick 1998 Jason Williams (Sacramento Kings) | First Round | #7 pick Follow John Houston on X John Houston joined the University of Houston Athletics Department in 1997 as an athletics trainer at the University of Houston, serving as the primary co

K.C. BEARD Hometown Parma, Idaho College Boise State '08; West Texas A&M '11 COACHING EXPERIENCE Year Team, Position 2023 – Houston, Assistant Coach 2022-23 Houston, Special Assistant to the Head Coach 2021-22 Houston, Assistant Coach 2014-21 Houston, Video Coordinator 2013-14 Utah Jazz, Video Intern 2013 Canadian National Team, Video Coordinator 2011-13 Portland Trail Blazers, Video Intern 2011 Pacific (Ore.), Assistant Coach 2009-11 West Texas A&M, Assistant Coach 2008-09 SMU, Video Coordinator CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024-25 • NCAA National Finalist • NCAA FInal Four • Big 12 Champions • Big 12 Tournament Champions 2023-24 Big 12 Champions 2022-23 American Athletic Tournament Champions 2021-22 • American Athletic Champions • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2020-21 • NCAA Final Four • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2019-20 American Athletic Champions 2018-19 American Athletic Champions NBA DRAFT SELECTIONS Year Experience 2024 Jamal Shead (Toronto Raptors) | Second Round | #45 pick 2023 Jarace Walker (Indiana Pacers) | First Round | #8 pick Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons) | First Round | #25 pick 2021 Quentin Grimes (New York Knicks) | First Round | #25 pick 2017 Damyean Dotson (New York Knicks | Second Round | #44 pick Coach K.C. Beard on Twitter K.C. Beard joined the University of Houston Men’s Basketball program as its video coordinator in May 2014. He was elevated to assistant coach in April 2021. Beard is no stranger to the Houston Basketball program. He served as

KELLEN SAMPSON Hometown Norman, Okla. College Oklahoma '06; '09 Family Married – Wife, Tonya Daughter – Maisy Son – Kylen COACHING EXPERIENCE Year Team, Position 2014 – Houston, Assistant Coach 2011-14 Appalachian State, Assistant Coach 2010-11 Stephen F. Austin, Assistant Coach 2009-10 Oklahoma, Assistant Strength & Conditioning 2008-09 Oklahoma, Graduate Assistant 2007-08 Indiana, Graduate Assistant CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024-25 • NCAA National Finalist • NCAA FInal Four • Big 12 Champions • Big 12 Tournament Champions 2023-24 Big 12 Conference Champions 2022-23 American Athletic Tournament Champions 2021-22 • American Athletic Champions • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2020-21 • NCAA Final Four • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2019-20 American Athletic Champions 2018-19 American Athletic Champions NBA DRAFT SELECTIONS Year Experience 2024 Jamal Shead (Toronto Raptors) | Second Round | #45 pick 2023 • Jarace Walker (Indiana Pacers) | First Round | #8 pick • Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons) | First Round | #25 pick 2021 Quentin Grimes (New York Knicks) | First Round | #25 pick 2017 Damyean Dotson (New York Knicks) | Second Round | #44 pick PLAYING EXPERIENCE 2004-07 Oklahoma Three-year letterman Most Inspirational Award (2007) Connection to the Community Award (2007) Academic All-Big 12 First Team (2007) Team leader in 3-Pt FG% (2007) Follow Coach Kellen Sampson on Twitter Kellen Sampson joined the University of Houston Men’s Basketball program in April 2014 as an ass

LAUREN SAMPSON Hometown Norman, Okla. College Oklahoma '04 PROFESSIONAL CAREER Year Team, Position 2025 – Houston, Chief of Staff 2021-25 Houston, Director of Operations 2016-21 Houston, Director of External Operations 2015-15 Houston, Director for Revenue Development 2006-07 Indiana, IU Sports Properties Account Executive 2005-06 College of Charleston, Director of Sports Marketing CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024-25 • NCAA National Finalist • NCAA FInal Four • Big 12 Champions • Big 12 Tournament Champions 2023-24 Big 12 Conference Champions 2022-23 American Athletic Conference Tournament Champions 2021-22 • American Athletic Champions • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2020-21 • NCAA Final Four • American Athletic Tournament Champions 2019-20 American Athletic Champions 2018-19 American Athletic Champions NBA DRAFT SELECTIONS Year Experience 2024 Jamal Shead (Toronto Raptors) | Second Round | #45 pick 2023 Jarace Walker (Indiana Pacers) | First Round | #8 pick Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons) | First Round | #25 pick 2021 Quentin Grimes (New York Knicks) | First Round | #25 pick 2017 Damyean Dotson (New York Knicks) | Second Round | #44 pick Follow Lauren Sampson on Twitter Lauren Sampson joined the University of Houston Men’s Basketball program in the summer of 2016 as director for external operations and became current position as director of operations in 2021. She was elevated to her current position as chief of staff in May 2025. In that role, she oversees the publicity of the

ABOUT MATT McDONALD Hometown Houston, Texas College Houston '19 PROFESSIONAL CAREER Year Team, Position 2025 The Basketball Tournament (TBT)'s Forever Coogs ...

MIKE EKANEM Pronunciation E-Con-Em Hometown Houston, Texas College Texas Lutheran '07 California University of Pennsylvania '08 Family Wife – Hannah Sons – Major, Tye Daughter – Jersey PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Year Team, Position 2025 – Houston, assistant coach 2024-25 Oklahoma State, assistant coach 2023-24 George Mason, assistant coach 2022-23 Sam Houston, assistant coach 2021-22 Arkansas, director of player development 2019-21 Texas A&M, director of scouting 2018-19 Nevada, multimedia specialist 2016-18 Memphis, video coordinator 2014-16 Memphis, special assistant to head coach 2013-14 Louisiana Tech, Women's Basketball asst. coach 2013-14 Spurs Sports and Entertainment, basketball operations assistant CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018-19 • Mountain West Conference Champions (Nevada) NBA DRAFT SELECTIONS Year Experience 2022 Jaylin Williams Oklahoma City Thunder Second Round | #34 pick 2019 • Cody Martin Charlotte Hornets Second Round | #36 pick PROFESSIONAL PLAYING CAREER 2007-08 BC Targoviste (Romania) 2006-07 Longford Falcons (Ireland) 2005-06 Wolmirestedt Baskets (Germany) COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREER 2001-05 Texas Lutheran – All-Region Team – All-Conference Team Follow Coach Mike Ekanem on X Veteran coach Mike Ekanem joined the University of Houston Men’s Basketball program as an assistant coach in May 2025. Ekanem – whose last name is pronounced E-Con-Em – joined the Cougars after serving as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State during the 2024-25 season. There, he helped lead the Cowbo

Will Finch joined the University of Houston Men's Basketball program as associate director of operations in September 2024. In that role, he works closely with Head Coach Kelvin Sampson and assists Director of Operations and Basketball Strategy Bobby Champagne in team travel, student-athlete recruiting visits and day-to-day operations. This is the second time Finch has worked with Sampson during their careers. He served as a student manager at Indiana from 2004 to 2007, which included Sampson's first year with the Hoosiers, and assisted in event management/administration roles as he completed his master's degree. Finch came to Houston following a pair of stints at Detroit-Mercy, where he most recently served as the Titans' video coordinator. He previously worked as Men's Basketball director of basketball operations in 2009-10, was an assistant athletic facilities coordinator at Indiana from 2012-13, served as a graduate assistant for men's basketball at Marshall from 2011-12, and was an assistant men's basketball coach at Saint Catharine College from 2010-11. Finch worked with Impact Basketball in Las Vegas in 2009, where he organized the training center's management and aided in on-court training of NBA-caliber players. He was part of the largest turnaround in Detroit Mercy school history as they went from 7-23 to 20-14 in 2009-10, ending with a run to the Horizon League Championship Semifinals. Finch earned his undergraduate degree in sports management and marketing from In