University of Houston Athletics
Men’s Basketball to Honor Louis Dunbar at Tip-Off Dinner
10/6/2023 1:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
2023-24 team will be recognized in annual preseason event at UH Hilton
HOUSTON – The 2023-24 University of Houston Men's Basketball team will be recognized with Cougar legend and Harlem Globetrotters great Louis Dunbar during the program's annual Tip-Off Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
The event begins with a reception at 6 p.m., inside the UH Hilton (4800 Calhoun Rd., Houston 77004). Dinner and the program start at 7 p.m., with Head Coach Kelvin Sampson introducing the 2023-24 Cougars as well as his coaching and support staffs.
Thanks to overwhelming demand during early sales, the 2023 Tip-Off Dinner has sold out.
Sampson and the Cougars will recognize Houston Athletics Hall of Honor member and long-time Harlem Globetrotter star Louis Dunbar for his many contributions to the game of basketball.
ABOUT LOUIS DUNBAR
A native of Minden, La., Dunbar led Webster High School to the state championship as a senior, scoring 49 points in the title game, and was named Mr. Basketball of Louisiana.
Dunbar joined the Cougars and Head Coach Guy V. Lewis and was a three-year letterman from 1972 to 1975. During his time in Houston, he led Houston to 56 wins with an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1973.
Dunbar led the Cougars in scoring in each of his first two seasons and never had a season averaging fewer than 21.0 points per game.
He received All-America Third-Team honors following the 1973-74 season after averaging a team-best 21.7 points per game with 8.5 rebounds per contest and a .458 field goal percentage.
Dunbar continues to rank among the Cougars' Top-10 career leaders in scoring (6th, 1,765 points), scoring average (5th, 22.3 ppg), field goals (4th, 759) and field goal attempts (4th, 1,574).
Following his career, he was taken in the Fourth Round of the NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers but never played in the league, competing as a professional in Switzerland. He was discovered by a scout with the Harlem Globetrotters and, from there, his career reached a new height.
As Sweet Lou Dunbar, he worked as both a player and a coach and entertained more than 10 million fans on six continents.
For his outstanding accomplishments, he was selected as a Harlem Globetrotter Legend, presented to those who have made major contributions to the success and development of the Globetrotters organization. He also was inducted into the University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor in 2008.
ABOUT the COUGARS
Under Sampson's leadership, the Cougars enjoyed tremendous success during its stint in the American Athletic Conference, competing in five straight NCAA Tournaments – including the 2021 NCAA Final Four – with six conference titles (regular-season and tournament).
As the Cougars compete for the first time in the Big 12 Conference during the 2023-24 season, Houston returns five letterwinners and two starters from the 2022-23 team, which finished 33-4 to tie the school single-season record in wins, and competed in the NCAA Sweet 16, the fourth straight season in which the Cougars accomplished that feat.
Point guard Jamal Shead averaged 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game a year ago while earning honors as the Conference Defensive Player of the Year. With 200 assists, he became only the second player in Houston history to record multiple 200+ assist seasons in his career, joining Houston great Reid Gettys in that category.
Senior forward J'Wan Roberts led the Cougars and ranked among the top league leaders with 7.7 rebounds per game and was honored as the Conference Most Improved Player of the Year.
BUY 2023-24 TICKETS
The Cougars have sold out of their season ticket allotment inside Fertitta Center for the 2023-24 season.
Information about group and single-game tickets will be available soon.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win as we begin Big 12 competition. Click here to rise and be counted.
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 (4687).
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.
The event begins with a reception at 6 p.m., inside the UH Hilton (4800 Calhoun Rd., Houston 77004). Dinner and the program start at 7 p.m., with Head Coach Kelvin Sampson introducing the 2023-24 Cougars as well as his coaching and support staffs.
Thanks to overwhelming demand during early sales, the 2023 Tip-Off Dinner has sold out.
Sampson and the Cougars will recognize Houston Athletics Hall of Honor member and long-time Harlem Globetrotter star Louis Dunbar for his many contributions to the game of basketball.
ABOUT LOUIS DUNBARA native of Minden, La., Dunbar led Webster High School to the state championship as a senior, scoring 49 points in the title game, and was named Mr. Basketball of Louisiana.
Dunbar joined the Cougars and Head Coach Guy V. Lewis and was a three-year letterman from 1972 to 1975. During his time in Houston, he led Houston to 56 wins with an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1973.
Dunbar led the Cougars in scoring in each of his first two seasons and never had a season averaging fewer than 21.0 points per game.
He received All-America Third-Team honors following the 1973-74 season after averaging a team-best 21.7 points per game with 8.5 rebounds per contest and a .458 field goal percentage.
Dunbar continues to rank among the Cougars' Top-10 career leaders in scoring (6th, 1,765 points), scoring average (5th, 22.3 ppg), field goals (4th, 759) and field goal attempts (4th, 1,574).
Following his career, he was taken in the Fourth Round of the NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers but never played in the league, competing as a professional in Switzerland. He was discovered by a scout with the Harlem Globetrotters and, from there, his career reached a new height.
As Sweet Lou Dunbar, he worked as both a player and a coach and entertained more than 10 million fans on six continents.
For his outstanding accomplishments, he was selected as a Harlem Globetrotter Legend, presented to those who have made major contributions to the success and development of the Globetrotters organization. He also was inducted into the University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor in 2008.
ABOUT the COUGARS
Under Sampson's leadership, the Cougars enjoyed tremendous success during its stint in the American Athletic Conference, competing in five straight NCAA Tournaments – including the 2021 NCAA Final Four – with six conference titles (regular-season and tournament).
As the Cougars compete for the first time in the Big 12 Conference during the 2023-24 season, Houston returns five letterwinners and two starters from the 2022-23 team, which finished 33-4 to tie the school single-season record in wins, and competed in the NCAA Sweet 16, the fourth straight season in which the Cougars accomplished that feat.
Point guard Jamal Shead averaged 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game a year ago while earning honors as the Conference Defensive Player of the Year. With 200 assists, he became only the second player in Houston history to record multiple 200+ assist seasons in his career, joining Houston great Reid Gettys in that category.
Senior forward J'Wan Roberts led the Cougars and ranked among the top league leaders with 7.7 rebounds per game and was honored as the Conference Most Improved Player of the Year.
BUY 2023-24 TICKETS
The Cougars have sold out of their season ticket allotment inside Fertitta Center for the 2023-24 season.
Information about group and single-game tickets will be available soon.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win as we begin Big 12 competition. Click here to rise and be counted.
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 (4687).
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 –
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