NEW YORK — University of Houston point guard Kingston Flemings was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the No. 8 overall pick Tuesday night, matching the program’s highest NBA Draft pick in 42 years.
Flemings joins Jarace Walker (2023) as the Cougars’ highest draft pick since Hakeem Olajuwon was taken No. 1 in 1984.
The selection caps a big year for Flemings, who was All-Big 12, a consensus All-American and finalist for the Wooden Award.
Flemings is UH’s fourth first-round pick since 2021, joining Quentin Grimes, Walker and Marcus Sasser.
Flemings, who had arguably the best season by a freshman in school history, arrived at Barclays Center Tuesday night, wearing a burgundy with gold pinstripes suit. Inside the jacket were photos of family and his basketball journey that has taken him from San Antonio Brennan to UH and now the NBA. His favorite Bible verse was inscribed: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
After his selection, Flemings was immediately congratulated by teammate Chris Cenac Jr. and coach Kelvin Sampson. Cenac is projected to be taken later in the first round.
This is a developing story and will be updated