Introduction to Milos Uzan
Milos Uzan, the new point guard for the University of Houston, has big shoes to fill. He’s replacing Jamal Shead, who won both Big 12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in UH’s first year in the Power 4 conference. However, Uzan is not trying to be Shead; he’s focused on being himself. Karen Sampson, the coach’s wife, noticed that Uzan wants to please everyone and told him to just be himself. This advice stuck with the 21-year-old, and he feels special that Karen Sampson took the time to talk to him.
The Pressure of Replacing Jamal Shead
Replacing Shead is a daunting task, and many will be watching to see how Uzan performs. The question on everyone’s mind is: can Uzan fill the gap left by Shead? However, those who know Uzan are not concerned. Wes VanBeck, a former UH player, played against Uzan in a scrimmage and was impressed by his ability to control the game and distribute the ball to UH’s returning starters.
Being Himself
Uzan is a 6-foot-4 point guard with court vision and long-range shooting ability. He’s shown glimpses of his potential, but his defense needs some work. Uzan is not trying to be Shead; he’s focused on being the best version of himself. As he says, "I’m not really here for the comparisons. I’m a new point guard coming in. We’re just going to see his path and then my path. I’m not really into comparing it." This mindset is reflective of the UH basketball program, which focuses on helping players grow into the best versions of themselves rather than forcing them into preset boxes.
Adjusting to Life with Coach Sampson
Uzan is still adjusting to life with Coach Sampson, who is known for being demanding. Uzan has already suffered a broken nose in practice and will start the season playing with a mask. However, he’s excited to be pushed by Coach Sampson and is confident that the coach will get the best out of him. As Uzan says, "This is tough coaching right here. I’ve never really had a coach like Coach Sampson honestly. Somebody who’s going to always push you to be your best and that’s exactly why I came here."
The Milos Uzan Game
UH associate head coach Quannas White sees plenty of upside in Uzan’s game. White says, "There’s not one thing offensively he can’t do. He comes in as a really good shooter and he’s going to continue to improve. Because he has great habits and a great work ethic. But his skill level is just off the charts. He can make every read in the pick and roll." Coach Sampson expects a lot from his point guards, and Uzan is no exception. However, Uzan is ready for the challenge and is focused on improving every day.
Conclusion
Milos Uzan is ready to make his mark on the University of Houston basketball team. With the support of Coach Sampson, Karen Sampson, and the rest of the team, Uzan is confident that he can be the best version of himself. He’s not trying to replace Jamal Shead; he’s focused on being Milos Uzan. As Karen Sampson says, "Listen to what he says. Not how he says it. It’s going to be hard for you. It’s going to be hard. But that’s the way." Uzan is all in on the UH way, and fans can expect great things from him this season.
