HOUSTON – IMG Academy star forward Chase McCarty became the newest member of the University of Houston Men’s Basketball program after inking a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, Head Coach Kelvin Sampson announced Thursday.
Measuring 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds, McCarty will compete as a freshman with the Cougars in 2024-25 and have four years of eligibility.
Playing for Coach Sean McAloon at IMG Academy in 2023-24 and for Coach Winfred Jordan of the Atlanta Express AAU program, McCarty was a 4-star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN and was listed as the #59 recruit nationally by Rivals.
He also stood at #73 in the country by 247Sports and ranked #94 in the ESPN100. McCarty chose Houston over Georgia Tech, Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri and Texas Tech.
“Chase has been groomed for this for a long time. He has great size… big chest, wide shoulders, long arms. His strength is making open shots. He can really shoot. He is a prototypical wing. He is a 6-foot-6, big strong wing, who can make shots and rebound,” Sampson said. “I am looking forward to developing his entire game. There is a lot to Chase. He is only the scratching the surface.”
During the summer, he averaged 20.0 ppg for Atlanta Express and won the 3-point shooting championship at Under Armour’s Elite 24 in August.
As a junior in 2022-23 at Westminster Christian (Ala.), McCarty led the team to the Class 4A State Championship Game and was a finalist for the Class 4A Player of the Year after averaging 23.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
The Huntsville, Ala., native posted 17 points with six rebounds and a block in win over Montgomery Catholic High School in the AHSAA Class 4A State Semifinals and added 26 points with four 3-pointers in a win over Decatur High School earlier in the season.
“Chase is an outstanding young man. He will bring positive energy to your program and is very competitive. I have been doing this 26 years, and he is one of the best shooters I have seen at his size. He will do positive things for you,” Jordan said. “Chase has great character. He may be quiet, but he is passionate about basketball and other people. He is a good kid.”
UP NEXT
• The Cougars continue their season-opening homestand when they face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, inside Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• From there, the Cougars take on Stetson at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13, inside Fertitta Center to close the homestand.
• That game will be shown on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
• All Houston Men’s Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
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