Introduction to the Fantastic Four
They are Kelvin Sampson’s Fantastic Four freshmen class, the highest rated recruiting class in University of Houston basketball history. Chris Cenac Jr., Kingston Flemings, Isiah Harwell, and Bryce Jackson are different kinds of freshmen in many ways. Even by the sky-high standards of Kelvin Sampson’s beyond nationally elite program, these freshmen are not like others. They are already primed, poised, and prepared for the challenges of college basketball.
A New Breed of Freshmen
Unlike previous freshmen, such as J’Wan Roberts and Jamal Shead, who had to adjust to the program and learn the ropes, the Fantastic Four are already familiar with the high-stakes environment of college basketball. Cenac and Harwell are McDonald’s All-Americans, and Flemings is the best high school player in Texas. Jackson, who came back from a horrific leg injury, proved he’s still one of the best high school players in Houston. They are used to being expected to come up big and perform under pressure.
Learning from the Best
The Fantastic Four have awesome examples to look up to, and they have been around the program for several years. They know the Cougars who came before them, and they expect to be pushed to their limits. They signed up for Kelvin’s killer demands, and they are ready to put in the work. As Kellen Sampson notes, "These new guys have awesome examples to look to… We recruited Chris Cenac for two and a half years. We recruited Kingston Flemings since he was a sophomore."
Competition and Camaraderie
The Fantastic Four are competitive, and they are not afraid to show it. In four-on-four scrimmages, they go all out, and they don’t back down. As Ramon Walker Jr. says, "They’re really mature. They’re really competitive. We played four on four the other day, and there’s just a lot of competition. It’s just iron sharpening iron." They also have a strong bond, built over years of being recruited to UH and texting each other. When asked about not backing down, Harwell says, "I think it’s very important… Because I feel like at some point we’re going to have to play a role on the team."
Winning Mentality
No one on this Houston roster is playing for some future season. This is a group driven to win a national championship this season. The Fantastic Four watched the national title game last season, and they were motivated to take it one step further. As Harwell says, "We were watching the last game against Florida… And all of us got on a call after and talked to each other. And we were like, ‘We need to take it one game further. We need to win it.’" They are determined to make a difference and help the team win.
Embracing the Challenge
The Fantastic Four know what to expect from Kelvin Sampson’s program. They know about the 6 am summer workouts, the track, and the stadium steps. They know about Turnover Thursdays, where Sampson makes you run every time you commit three turnovers. As Flemings says, "I wouldn’t say anything really super surprised me… Everything I kind of anticipated has kind of happened." They are embracing the intense sweat equity required in Kelvin Sampson’s program and are ready to put in the work.
Conclusion
The Fantastic Four are ready to make their mark on the University of Houston basketball program. With their competitive mentality, strong bond, and determination to win, they are poised to make a significant impact. As Cenac says, "He wants to win… We all want to win. Me coming here, I want to win. I want to help the team win. I want to get better." With the Fantastic Four leading the charge, the University of Houston basketball team is looking to take it to the next level and bring home a national championship.
