Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars almost won it all last April, reaching the national championship game without guard Ramon Walker. However, college basketball insider Jon Rothstein has some welcome news, as Walker has revealed that Sampson will be getting the guard back as he has now been cleared for all basketball-related activities.
Houston’s Ramon Walker (hand) has been fully cleared for all basketball related activities, per Kelvin Sampson.
Averaged 2.0 PPG and 2.4 RPG in eight games last season prior to injury.
A key role player to monitor for the Cougars in 2025-26.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 1, 2025
The news of the senior guard’s return is welcome news for the Cougars, especially as they aim to win it all next year, especially after coming short against the Florida Gators during the national championship game. His season was cut short last Dec. 18 after suffering a right-hand injury during pregame workouts.
Because of that hand injury, Ramon Walker was not able to play during that historic National Championship Tournament run last March and April. However, while he was not cleared to play yet, he was reportedly active during the Cougars’ practices and post-practice and was helping his teammates prepare for their upcoming matches.
The Houston Cougars have remained one of the most dangerous college basketball teams today, and with Walker returning to the active roster, the team just has another option. He is expected to offer his veteran experience to the incoming freshmen of his team as they aim for that national championship once again.
Kelvin Sampson Now One of the Highest-Paid College Basketball Coaches in the Country
As for the Houston Cougars team itself, the university is investing a lot in its basketball team and making it clear that they want to win a national title as soon as possible. This is evident as the team extended Kelvin Sampson’s coaching contract and made it as lucrative as ever.
Sampson signed a new four-year contract with the University of Houston last month, and he is expected to get an average of $6 million per season over the course of those four years. He is now on the Top 10 highest-paid college coaches list, and Houston president Renu Khator explains why:
“We want to make sure Coach feels valued,” he told Paper City in an interview. “Because he does put his heart and soul in the program, coaching. And we just want to make sure he does feel that we value him, we appreciate him. So it’s important that he’s compensated properly.”
Only five coaches in the NCAA are making more money than Kelvin Sampson, and they include Bill Self, John Calipari, and Dan Hurley.
Related: Only One Transfer, Still Dangerous’: Why Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Squad Is a Title Threat
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