Point guard L.J. Rose to leave Houston Cougars basketball program

Receiving his bachelor’s degree in May, University of Houston point guard L.J. Rose has elected to explore options with other schools for the 2016-17 season.

Rose joined the Cougars in 2013-14 after transferring from Baylor. The Westbury Christian native competed in 49 games during his Houston career with 44 starts and will receive his bachelor’s degree in health in mid-May.

He averaged 9.0 points and 5.3 assists  per game with the Cougars and was the 17th player in school history with multiple 100+ assist seasons but was hampered by injuries during the last two years.

Rose, who is the son of former Regent and former Phi Slama Jama star Lynden Rose, competed in only two games during the 2015-16 season before being sidelined.

“There is nobody in our program that I have more respect for than LJ,” Head Coach Kelvin Sampson said. “The way that he has handed the adversity of injury has made him a better person with a stronger will to succeed.”

“I have learned a lot in the last two years under Coach Sampson. He held me accountable, on and off the court, and he helped me,” Rose said. “I have had a lot of coaches in my career, but I will always remember Coach Sampson and his assistant coaches for the impact they had on my life.”