“SHOTS FIRED 😂” tweeted NBA reporter Chancellor Johnson sharing a video of Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta blasting the Mavericks. At a Houston Cougars celebration, Fertitta revealed discussing the team with President Trump and Italy’s Prime Minister before calling Dallas’ Luka Doncic trade “dumbass” creating an unexpected collision of college basketball celebration and NBA rivalry.
What started as a celebration of the Cougars’ remarkable NCAA Tournament run to the National Championship game quickly included some spicy NBA trash talk. The event held at the aptly named Fertitta Center saw the prominent UH benefactor seamlessly transition from praising collegiate success to taking shots at the Rockets’ in-state rivals.
White House Conversations About Houston Cougars and “Luke Doncic”
“I was in the White House, in the Oval Office with the Prime Minister of Italy and the President last Thursday, and we talked about the Houston Cougars, I can promise you, for at least a minute and a half. And then we talked about that dumbass Luke Doncic trade that Dallas did” Fertitta told the crowd drawing laughs from attendees.
SHOTS FIRED 😂
At a Houston Cougar season celebration, Rockets owner, Tilman Fertitta spoke on how he recently had a chance to speak to President Trump about his Coogs.
He followed that up with:
“And then we talked about that dumbass Luka Doncic trade Dallas did” pic.twitter.com/RpzV10Q8Fj
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) April 24, 2025
The comments highlight how the University of Houston basketball program has gained national prominence, reaching the level where even the President is discussing their historic 35-5 season and National Championship appearance.
From Collegiate Glory to NBA Rivalry
The Cougars’ celebration event recognized a team that had dominated the Big 12 with a 19-1 conference record, winning both the regular season and tournament championships.
Led by L.J. Cryer and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Joseph Tugler, Houston reached the NCAA title game before narrowly falling to Florida 65-63.
For Fertitta, whose Rockets maintain a fierce rivalry with Dallas, the Mavericks’ controversial trade decision provided additional talking points during the celebration.
Since sending Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, the Mavericks fell to the No. 10 seed and missed the playoffs while the Lakers secured the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference.
The ceremony at Fertitta Center, named after the billionaire benefactor, served as the perfect backdrop for his dual interests in collegiate and professional basketball. As both a major university supporter and NBA team owner, Fertitta has unique perspective on basketball developments in Texas.
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Fertitta’s viral moment captured the intersection of college and professional basketball cultures in Texas. The Cougars’ seventh Final Four appearance in program history and near miss at a national championship only elevated the significance of having their success mentioned in White House conversations alongside NBA trade discussions.
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