.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
University of Houston Athletics
Penders to join National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
11/28/2020 10:29:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Former head coach to become fourth Cougar enshrined
HOUSTON – Former University of Houston Men's Basketball Head Coach Tom Penders has been selected for induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
Penders joins former Maryville Lincoln Memorial and Belmont Coach Rick Byrd and players Len Bias (Maryland), David Greenwood (UCLA), Hersey Hawkins (Bradley), Jim Jackson (Ohio State), Antawn Jamison (North Carolina) and Paul Pierce (Kansas).
The honorees will be enshrined in November 2021 in Kansas City at the 2021 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Celebration presented by Nike. The event is part of Kansas City's Hall of Fame Weekend, which also includes the Hall of Fame Classic tournament.
In a 36-year career at Tufts (1971-74), Columbia (1974-78), Fordham (1978-86), Rhode Island (1986-88), Texas (1988-98), George Washington (1998-01) and with the Cougars (2004-10), Penders compiled a 649-437 record with three conference regular-season championships and four tournament titles.
His victory total continues to ranks 40th in NCAA history among coaches with 10+ years of experience at the Division I level.
Penders was selected as the Atlantic-10 Coach of the Year in 1987 after he led the Blue Hens to 20 wins in his first season on campus.
As Houston's head coach, Penders led the Cougars to a 121-77 record with four postseason appearances. In 2010, he guided the Cougars to four wins in four days on the way to the Conference USA Championship title and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992.
He remains the only coach in Houston history to lead the Cougars to 18+ victories in six consecutive seasons.
Penders becomes the fourth Cougar elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. He joined Coach Guy V. Lewis (2007), Elvin Hayes (2013) and Otis Birdsong (2018).
The Class of 2021 was announced during the broadcast of the Hall of Fame Classic championship game on Sunday afternoon.
The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame is located inside The College Basketball Experience (CBE), a world-class experiential entertainment facility adjacent to Kansas City's T-Mobile Center. The Class of 2021 will be the 16th induction class in the Hall of Fame's history.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
Penders joins former Maryville Lincoln Memorial and Belmont Coach Rick Byrd and players Len Bias (Maryland), David Greenwood (UCLA), Hersey Hawkins (Bradley), Jim Jackson (Ohio State), Antawn Jamison (North Carolina) and Paul Pierce (Kansas).
The honorees will be enshrined in November 2021 in Kansas City at the 2021 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Celebration presented by Nike. The event is part of Kansas City's Hall of Fame Weekend, which also includes the Hall of Fame Classic tournament.
In a 36-year career at Tufts (1971-74), Columbia (1974-78), Fordham (1978-86), Rhode Island (1986-88), Texas (1988-98), George Washington (1998-01) and with the Cougars (2004-10), Penders compiled a 649-437 record with three conference regular-season championships and four tournament titles.
His victory total continues to ranks 40th in NCAA history among coaches with 10+ years of experience at the Division I level.
Penders was selected as the Atlantic-10 Coach of the Year in 1987 after he led the Blue Hens to 20 wins in his first season on campus.
As Houston's head coach, Penders led the Cougars to a 121-77 record with four postseason appearances. In 2010, he guided the Cougars to four wins in four days on the way to the Conference USA Championship title and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992.
He remains the only coach in Houston history to lead the Cougars to 18+ victories in six consecutive seasons.
Penders becomes the fourth Cougar elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. He joined Coach Guy V. Lewis (2007), Elvin Hayes (2013) and Otis Birdsong (2018).
The Class of 2021 was announced during the broadcast of the Hall of Fame Classic championship game on Sunday afternoon.
The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame is located inside The College Basketball Experience (CBE), a world-class experiential entertainment facility adjacent to Kansas City's T-Mobile Center. The Class of 2021 will be the 16th induction class in the Hall of Fame's history.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
POSTGAME — vs #4 Arizona (Feb. 21, 2026)
Saturday, February 21
POSTGAME — at Iowa State (Feb. 16, 2026
Monday, February 16
HIGHLIGHTS – vs Kansas State (February 16, 2026)
Sunday, February 15
PREVIEW – Coach Kelvin Sampson vs. Kansas State (February 13, 2026)
Friday, February 13