Houston Secures Commitment from No. 2 Center Arafan Diane

UPDATE: The Houston Cougars have officially landed a major recruit, as top-25 senior Arafan Diane has announced his commitment to the program. This breakthrough comes as the 7-foot-1, 290-pound center solidifies his status as the No. 2 center in the 2026 class.

Diane, known for his physical dominance on the court, chose Houston over a final five that included Indiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Virginia. His decision follows an official visit to all five schools, with Houston securing the final visit in late October. “Coach Sampson is different,” Diane stated. “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. He values winning like I do.”

The Cougars were viewed as frontrunners entering Diane’s recruitment, successfully fending off a late surge from Indiana. “He and his staff recruited me hard,” Diane said. “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. The fans and the facility are great too.”

Diane hails from Iowa United Prep and is recognized as the No. 21 overall prospect in the SC Next 100. Last spring and summer, he dominated the Adidas 3SSB circuit, leading in rebounding with an impressive average of 10.8 boards per game. He also posted averages of 18.6 points and 1.5 blocks, shooting over 74% from the field. His standout performance at the 3SSB Palmetto Road Championships in July saw him average 21.6 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks across five games.

Diane is not just a force on the boards; he is a true center with a 7-foot-4 wingspan. His game consists of powerful post-ups, explosive dunks, and relentless offensive rebounds. His ability to screen effectively and be a reliable target in pick-and-roll situations will make him a significant asset for the Cougars.

This commitment marks the first for Houston in the 2026 class and adds to Coach Kelvin Sampson‘s impressive recruiting track record, which includes four top-25 recruits over the last two classes, following a second-ranked class in 2025.

As the Houston program continues to build momentum, they are also in a strong position for another potential commitment from SC Next 100 guard Ikenna Alozie, who could announce his decision in the coming days.

Stay tuned for updates as the Cougars look to cement their place among the elite in college basketball with this latest addition.