Houston Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Cougars

Key Reserves

Guard – Jamal Shead (Sophomore)

Shead is the top returning scorer from last year’s squad that wasn’t among our initial list of starters, though the sophomore guard put up just 3.3 points per game in 26 games last season. Shead hasn’t shown an ability to shoot from beyond the arc and struggled with turnovers, but will be one of the key pieces off the bench initially.

Guard – Robbie Armbrester (Freshman)

Armbrester was a highly recruited 3-star recruit from Atlanta who chose the Cougars over a number of schools, including Georgia, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech. He put up decent numbers in one season as Wasatch Academy last year and it’ll be interesting to see how his game transitions to the college level, though initial minutes will be hard to come by on this talented roster.

Guard – Ramon Walker (Freshman)

Walker is a 3-star recruit who was named the best high school player in the city of Houston last season. He put up 22 points per game in a dynamic final season of high school ball, but it may take time for the freshman to jump ahead of some of this depth and earn significant minutes for the Cougars.

Guard – Taze Moore (Senior)

Moore arrives for one season at Houston, having been the top-scoring option at Cal State Bakersfield last year. He averaged 12.2 points per game and will likely be the best scoring threat off the bench for the Cougars. He’s someone who can fill the stat sheets and could become the best sixth man in the AAC.

Forward – Ja’Vier Francis (Freshman)

Francis starred in the Houston area before spending his final high school season at Monteverde Academy in Florida. A 3-star recruit, he averaged a double-double last season. He may not get a ton of chances this season, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him develop into a stud, especially practicing against forwards like Fabian White every day.

Forward – J’Wan Roberts (Sophomore)

Roberts was very effective in limited action last year, putting up 3.8 rebounds per game. He can be a force down low, especially if he can continue to develop on the offensive end after making 56% of his shots last year. Expect him to get chances to be one of the first few people off the bench early in games.

Forward – Josh Carlton (Senior)

Carlton joins the Cougars from Connecticut, where he put up 3.5 points and 3.7 points per game with the Huskies, mostly as a role player off the bench. Carlton has the ability to crash the boards and cause damage down low, but he has a bit more range than Roberts and the other forwards, giving the Cougars a unique, experienced option off the bench.