
Houston Cougars men’s basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson takes a shot at warmups during the team’s NCAA Tournament run in 2022. (Courtesy Sean Thomas)
Jacob McFarland chooses Houston Cougars
The Houston men’s basketball team continues to see its 2023 class get stronger after Jacob McFarland committed to UH on Friday evening. He made his announcement via a live stream on YouTube.
The 6-10 big man out of Moreno Valley, California, joins a Houston class that was already ranked 20th in the country prior to McFarland’s announcement. The Cougars have also received commitments from guard Kordelius Jefferson, an Arlington native, and big man Joseph “JoJo” Tugler, a Houston native. All three players are rated as four-star recruits on 247 Sports.
During the live stream, McFarland said the Houston Cougars’ family atmosphere, and head coach Kelvin Sampson’s vision for him is what led to him choosing the Cougars.
Sampson’s vision includes improving McFarland’s defensive game and expanding his offensive skillset, McFarland said. He also added Sampson did not guarantee him a set spot in the team’s rotation during his effort to recruit him to UH.
“He never promised me minutes,” McFarland said. “He said I would have to work and earn my minutes … I don’t want anything given to me.”