Houston Cougars fans cheer after the Houston Cougars beat the Duke Blue Devils during a men’s NCAA Final Four semifinal college basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, April 5, 2025.

Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

As someone who grew up in Houston with a basketball in hand and a radio tuned to Rockets games, I can honestly say: I’ve never felt the city like this. There’s a spark here — something bigger than a winning streak or a playoff berth. From the Rockets fighting their way back into relevance, to the University of Houston storming into the NCAA championship game, basketball is pulsing through this city’s veins in a way we haven’t seen in decades.

Saturday night’s Final Four matchup against Duke was something else entirely. With phenom Cooper Flagg leading the charge, everything seemed stacked against UH. But the Cougars didn’t blink. They came out in the second half with grit, discipline, and heart — the kind you can’t teach. They took that game from Duke, and in doing so, earned not just a trip to the title game, but the respect of the entire country.

And as if the moment needed more weight — Hakeem Olajuwon, the icon himself, was in the building, cheering them on. For those of us who’ve been here through it all, it meant something deeper. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.

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Now, the Cougars will play for the national championship this Monday evening — and every corner of Houston will be watching. Veteran coach Kelvin Sampson has built a team that plays like this city lives: with resilience, hustle and a chip on its shoulder. This isn’t just college pride. It’s city pride.

Meanwhile, down the road, the Houston Rockets are back in the NBA playoffs, and they’re not just along for the ride — they’ve earned their spot. Under coach Ime Udoka, this young squad has found its identity. Jalen Green is maturing into a true leader. Alperen Şengün (or “Alpie” to those who have been watching closely) has become one of the most skilled big men in the league. And night after night, they’re giving the fans a reason to believe again. It’s been a while, but this team feels like it’s building something real.

And yes, a lot of that credit goes to Tilman Fertitta, who — say what you will — stuck with the rebuild, didn’t rush the process and is now seeing the results take shape. He’s also leading the charge to bring the WNBA back to Houston, hoping to revive the legacy of the Houston Comets, who once owned the league with four straight championship wins. If that happens, Houston would be one of the only cities in the country with a serious footprint in the NBA, NCAA and WNBA.

But more than stats or standings, this is about something deeper. It’s about energy — the kind you feel when you’re walking past a pickup game on the blacktop, when your neighbors bring up the Cougars in line at the store or when downtown buzzes after a Rockets win.

This city is waking up — and basketball is right at the center of it.

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So, is Houston becoming the next great basketball city? Maybe. But for those of us who call it home — it already is.