BREAKING: The Houston Cougars have officially landed a commitment from Arafan Diane, the No. 2 center in the 2026 class, marking a significant win for the program. The announcement came just moments ago as the highly sought-after 7-foot-1 prospect chose Houston over a competitive field that included Indiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Virginia.
This commitment is crucial for Houston, as Diane is regarded as one of the most physically dominant players in high school basketball today. Known for his impressive 7-foot-4 wingspan and a formidable weight of 290 pounds, Diane has made headlines for his exceptional performance on the court, averaging 18.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game last season.
In his own words, Diane expressed,
“Coach Sampson is different. He pushes you hard with tough love. Off the court, he has strong family values and cares about his players. He is the best defensive coach in the country.”
The Cougars were frontrunners throughout Diane’s recruitment, with head coach Kelvin Sampson making a significant impact. Diane noted, “I spoke with coach Sampson every Sunday and he texted me after games. They have been to my school many times and that meant a lot to me.”
During his time on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, Diane showcased his skills, especially at the 3SSB Palmetto Road Championships in July, where he averaged an impressive 21.6 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks over five games. His ability to dominate in the paint and finish strong at the rim makes him a valuable asset for any team.
Houston now welcomes its first commitment for the 2026 class, further solidifying their status as a top contender. This marks coach Sampson’s fourth top-25 recruit in the last two classes, following a successful campaign that landed the No. 2-ranked class in 2025.
As the Cougars look to build on this momentum, they are also in a strong position to attract other top prospects, including SC Next 100 guard Ikenna Alozie, who could announce his commitment in the coming days.
With this latest development, Houston fans have much to celebrate as they anticipate the impact of Arafan Diane on their program. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
