Houston Cougars: Corey Davis Jr. and Armoni Brooks are NBA-bound
Houston Cougars stars Corey Davis Jr. and Armoni Brooks are both signing with the Washington Wizards as undrafted free agents. What could be next?
Houston Cougars fans — what an amazing season this team had. I just can’t get over all of the success that this team has had with many school records shattered as they continue to knock opponent-after-opponent finishing off with a sterling 33-4 record, the best in program history.
It was just great to see that the Houston Cougars were relevant again not only locally but nationally as well. ESPN picked up a ton of games during the season and so people all over the world were able to see the greatness of this program well before the magic of March Madness stars sprinkling its pixie dust all over die-hard fans.
Kelvin Sampson finally was able to see the fruits of his labor by putting together a team that has been specifically molded into his image. This team remained in the Top 10 in all of college basketball in many statistical categories such as scoring defense, field goal defense, three-point defense and just at the cusp in regard to defensive rebounds per game. But you know what? You wouldn’t expect anything less out of Sampson-coached team.
Like I’ve said before — if you’re playing for Sampson, your dedication to defense isn’t an option, it’s a mandate and you better do it well if you want to continue playing for him.
It emanated throughout the season from this team and they truly were a gem to watch. Their offense wasn’t necessarily the most robust out of the teams they competed with but that scored more than enough to get the job done.
Although the team came up short in the second round of the NCAA Tourney this year off an amazing shot by Kentucky’s Tyler Herro with just 25.8 ticks left, there is a lot to be said about this program and the direction it’s headed.
Sampson was rewarded with a six-year, $18 million contract extension this past Spring for guiding the Houston Cougars to such tremendous success. It will continue as he’ll be locked in as he tries to put together a contender that can get to the Final Four and secure an NCAA Championship, finishing what his legendary predecessor, Guy Lewis, started some five decades ago.
But enough of me gushing about this program, let’s talk more about some great news for two players on last year’s team.
According to KRIV FOX 26’s Mark Berman, guards Corey Davis Jr. and Armoni Brooks are headed for the NBA as they’ve reached a deal to sign with the Washington Wizards as undrafted free agents. Here’s the reaction from both players.
Davis:
Former @UHCougarMBK guard @CoreyDavisJr_ on reaching deal w/ @WashWizards as undrafted free agent in interview w/FOX 26's @SalManeen: "They trust in me & have a lot of faith in me..It's a great city & great organization. It's 1 of those surreal moments u can't explain how u feel" pic.twitter.com/VwkSC7S0Da
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) June 21, 2019
Brooks:
Former @UHCougarMBK guard Armoni Brooks (@SirBrooks3) on reaching deal with @WashWizards as an UFA: "All people wish to hear their names called. It's an accomplishment. It's a better feeling having a security blanket..Being able to be recognized by any team in the NBA is amazing"
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) June 21, 2019
Here’s the deal — I know every player that declares for the NBA Draft wants to have their name called but there’s only 60 that will be read off NBA Commissioners Adam Silver’s and Mark Tatum’s lips.
Plus the value of being drafted is not as much as it once was with the evolution of the G-League and just other outlets for talented players to make teams. You can be undrafted and go on to have a fine career in the Association if your cards are played just right and these two guys have a unique opportunity.
The Wizards are in rebuilding-mode, definitely indicating that the opportunity for Davis and Brooks to make the roster being wide-open.
Davis, a senior, was the leader of the 2018-19 Houston Cougars‘ team and he will take that
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experience with him to the Wizards by leading by example, yet being a rookie. I think that’s going to command respect right away.
Brooks, who has skipped his senior season by declaring for this draft, truly had the coming-out party that he wanted, getting noticed enough to find his way into the NBA.
Davis led the team in scoring and free-throw percentage (86.9) while Brooks was the statistical team leader in rebounds per game (6.3) and three-point percentage (39.0).
Not bad for two dynamic guards, huh?
This is definitely a story you should keep your eyes peeled for as I want to see nothing but success for these young professionals. We’ll see!
Next. Cougars: Why Kelvin Sampson signed his extension. dark
Davis averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists with a shooting line of .420/.375/.869 through all 37 games for the Houston Cougars in 2018-19.
Brooks averaged 13.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and a shooting line of .405/.390/.630 through all 37 games last season as well for the Coogs.