During the Houston Cougars’ run to the National Championship Game this spring, Milos Uzan played an impactful role. Before transferring to Houston for his junior season, he spent his first two seasons with Oklahoma.
Uzan appeared in 40 games during the 2024-25 season and averaged double-digit points for the first time in his collegiate career. He averaged 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He shot 45.3% from the field and 42.8% from three-point range.
Uzan declared for the NBA Draft in mid-April, opting to forgo his senior season. Head coach Kelvin Sampson remarked about the decision process, telling players to “be selfish” when considering their future, saying, “This is your life. Nobody else’s. You don’t feel obligated to anybody.”
Considering his head coach’s stance on such matters, Uzan’s decision to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft on May 27 and return to Houston speaks to his desire to help the Cougars capture their first national title after falling to Florida 65-63 in the championship game.
Uzan’s NBA Draft Process
During the pre-draft process, Uzan worked out for at least six NBA teams, including the Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, and Washington Wizards. He participated in the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, where he performed well in shooting drills.
According to reports, Uzan’s confidence grew throughout the workout process. After his session with Golden State, he stated: “To see yourself going against your peers and doing well, it gives you confidence.”
However, Uzan struggled in the Cougars’ final games leading up to the national title game, and then struggled at the combine. These performances, combined with his projection as a second-round pick where guaranteed contracts are rare, likely influenced his decision to return to school. Not to mention, there has been speculation regarding a thumb injury.
Things To Work on and Key Strengths
According to Sampson, three or four teams had serious interest in Uzan before he withdrew from the NBA Draft. Uzan was ranked as the No. 42 prospect in ESPN’s NBA draft rankings.
Final best shooters at NBA Combine drills (aggregate of all shots). Mark Sears was scorching.
83%Mark Sears
77% Chaz Lanier
73% Ryan Nembhard
73% PJ Haggerty
72% John Tonje
72% Milos Uzan
72% Cedric Coward
71% Walter Clayton
69%Koby Brea
69%Eric Dixon
69% Yaxel Lendeborg pic.twitter.com/eOABIgtO7E— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025
One area Uzan could use improvement in is his free-throw shooting. This past season, he shot 78.3%, which was a career high. For his collegiate career he’s shot just 74.8% of his free-throw attempts.
Uzan excelled in the shooting drills at the NBA Combine. In the drills, which included layups, mid-range, free throws, and three-pointers at different angles, Uzan finished tied with Wisconsin’s John Tonje for the fifth-highest field goal percentage (72%).
Houston’s Roster Situation
After falling short in the National Championship game against Florida, Houston and coach Sampson have focused on building a roster capable of capturing the program’s first national title. They return key contributors in Emanuel Sharp, Joseph Tugler (the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year), and now Uzan.
Additionally, they have a strong recruiting class coming in, including five-star prospects Isiah Harwell and Chris Cenac Jr., along with four-star guards Kingston Flemings and Bryce Jackson.
The Cougars did experience a notable change at point guard when Pop Isaacs flipped his commitment from Houston to Texas A&M on the same day Uzan announced his return. Isaacs had initially committed to Houston in April but chose Texas A&M after Uzan’s decision, as he preferred to be a primary ball-handler.
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said the situation “worked out for everybody”, noting that “Texas A&M needed a point guard” and with Uzan returning, it changed Houston’s backcourt dynamics.
Getting Uzan back for the 2025-26 season is a significant development for the Cougars. With Houston expected to be a preseason top-ranked team, Uzan gets one final year of college basketball to continue developing before pursuing his NBA dream while helping Houston chase its first national championship.
