The University of Houston will retire a number, honoring his significant impact on Cougar basketball and his role in integrating UH athletics. Chaney’s No. 24 will be displayed in the Fertitta Center, alongside his close friend and teammate Elvin Hayes. This long-awaited tribute comes from the efforts of current Houston basketball coach Kelvin Sampson and his staff, especially Lauren Sampson, the director of external operations for UH basketball.
Kelvin Sampson praises Chaney’s legacy, highlighting his contributions to the game and his respectable character. Renowned for his strong defense and scoring prowess, Chaney was instrumental in leading the Cougars to two Final Fours and a Sweet 16 from 1965 to 1968. He notably played the entire 40 minutes in the famous “Game of the Century,” where Houston defeated John Wooden’s UCLA before a large crowd at the Astrodome.
“I pushed for Don’s number to be retired,” Kelvin Sampson tells PaperCity Magazine. “And there’s a couple of other guys. Guys like Dwight Davis. I think he’s another one that’s very deserving. But Don Chaney is part of Cougar basketball royalty. His class. His dignity. His professionalism. His wisdom. His demeanor.”
Chaney and Hayes were trailblazers, becoming the first African-Americans to play basketball at the University of Houston, a significant social achievement that coincided with Warren McVea’s integration of the UH football team. Chaney reflects on the difficulties they faced and the eventual acceptance that followed, highlighting the important cultural change this brought about.
“It was tough,” Chaney told PaperCity earlier this summer of integrating Houston athletics. “It was tough the first year. After the first year it was unbelievable how you were accepted. I say to the point where coming from an all Black high school and an all Black neighborhood, I had to also accept the situation myself.
“It worked out great. But the first year was tough.”
Though he is humble—reflected in the rare occasions he wears his championship rings from his time with the Boston Celtics—Chaney’s influence is substantial. His battle with hereditary transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy adds a deeper significance to this recognition. Chaney continues to be a devoted supporter of UH basketball, regularly attending games and interacting with the community.
The forthcoming ceremony is expected to be an emotional celebration of Chaney’s significant contributions, ensuring that his legacy lives on. This honor, driven by Kelvin and Lauren Sampson, highlights Chaney’s enduring impact on both Houston basketball and the wider athletic community.
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