Danuel House, a former five-star recruit from Fort Bend Hightower, was second on the team in scoring with 13.6.| File photo/The Daily Cougar
Star players junior Danuel House and senior TaShawn Thomas each requested their release from the University in hopes of transferring before the hiring of head coach Kelvin Sampson.
The transfer requests by Thomas and House were declined April 4, the day after Sampson was named coach.
House, a former five-star recruit from Fort Bend Hightower, was second on the team in scoring with 13.6, and he told the Houston Chronicle he had his mind made up before the end of the season. “Honestly, I know I want to leave UH,” House said.
“They let transfers come in; they let one of my teammates get his release without any process or denial,” said House, who was Conference USA’s Freshman of the Year in 2013. “But when I asked for mine, they denied my request. I felt that was unfair. Our university always speaks highly of integrity, but they didn’t show any integrity to me. It’s like a hostage situation.”
Thomas, who led the Cougars in scoring (15.4) and rebounding (8.1) this season, said he met with Sampson before deciding to transfer.
“I feel like they should respect that I’m trying to explore different options,” Thomas told KRIV-TV. “I’m kind of nervous about the whole new situation with the coach.”
If granted their releases, House and Thomas would likely have to sit out a season unless they petition to the NCAA to play immediately. UH could also put restrictions on certain schools to which they may not transfer, similar to what the football program did to former star running back Charles Sims, who played for West Virginia.
