Ja'Vier Francis - College Basketball News & Rumors

Available Saturday Francis (groin) will make his return during Saturday's game against the Tigers, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Francis is active for Saturday's game against Auburn after sitting out against Jackson State in Houston's season opener. The 6-foot-8 senior averaged six points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.6 blocks across 37 starts last season.

NOVEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Wednesday Head coach Kelvin Sampson revealed that Francis (groin) returned to practice Wednesday, per GoCoogs.com.

Impact Francis was previously held out of Houston's season opener against Jackson State with a groin injury, but the senior was apparently able to return to practice on Wednesday. Francis' return bodes well for the Cougars heading into a tough matchup against Auburn this coming Saturday, and though he is still listed as a game-time decision, The 6-foot-8 forward appears to be closing in on a return.

NOVEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Held out with groin injury Francis (groin) will not play in Monday's season opener against Jackson State, Chris Baldwin of Paper City Magazine reports.

Impact Francis was considered questionable for the contest, but with Houston entering as massive favorites, the team will take a conservative approach with his usage to begin the season.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for season opener Francis (groin) remains questionable to suit up in Monday's season opener against Jackson State, Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Head coach Kelvin Sampson is reportedly still not sure whether Francis will suit up against Robert Morris despite the fact that it was reported that he'd be available earlier this week. The 6-foot-8 senior is a big piece in the Cougars' frontcourt, averaging six points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.6 blocks across 37 starts last season. If Francis is ultimately unable to suit up in Houston's opener, Cedric Lath and Joseph Tugler should see a larger role against a lower-tier opponent.

NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Available for first game of season Francis (groin) is available for the Cougars' game against Jackson State on Nov. 4, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact A groin injury prevented Francis from participating in the 2024-25 Cougars' preseason. However, he will be available when they begin their regular season on Nov. 4. Francis averaged 6.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks across his 37 games started for the 2023-24 Cougars.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Injury publicly revealed Francis is out for Houston's exhibition game Sunday against Texas A&M due to a groin injury, per Joseph Duarte of The Houston Chronicle.

Impact Previously undisclosed, Francis' injury is a groin problem that Duarte has publicly revealed a few hours before the exhibition game. However, Francis' absence is a precautionary measure, and all signs are that he will be available for Houston's 2024-25 season opener on Nov. 4.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Out for exhibition game Francis (undisclosed) is out for Houston's exhibition game Sunday against Texas A&M, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Sunday will include Houston's only exhibition before the team begins its 2024-25 regular season. It is scheduled to begin Nov. 4 w ith a home game against Jackson State.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

DNP for latest scrimmage Francis did not play during Houston's secret scrimmage last week, according to Joseph Duarte of The Houston Chronicle.

Impact Duarte's update on Francis suggests the senior is unavailable, unhealthy or both going into Houston's upcoming scrimmage Sunday against Texas A&M. A litany of injuries have plagued the Cougars this preseason, and their starting center being included is especially not something they want to deal with going into regular-season action in under two weeks.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Francis is considered questionable to return to the floor Saturday against Kansas due to a lower back injury.

Impact Francis compiled just two points on one shot attempt prior to his exit from Saturday's contest, and it appears he may not be able to rejoin the action. If not, he'll turn his sights toward Tuesday against Oklahoma State for his next chance to play.

FEBRUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes on both ends Francis had 10 points (4-4 FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and three blocks over 23 minutes during Saturday's 57-42 win over UCF.

Impact Francis made all four of his field-goal attempts, including three dunks, to spark his sixth double-digit output of the season on the offensive end. While the offensive production is a bonus, his production on the glass and on the defensive end has been a consistent for the Cougars. Francis posted his ninth-consecutive game with at least five rebounds and he's posted multiple blocked shots in seven of his last eight. While Francis is way down the list in scoring, averaging 6.4 points, he ranks second on the team in rebounds with 5.4 and first in blocks with 1.7 per contest.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Moves back to bench role Francis contributed four points (2-2 FG, 0-1 FT) and three rebounds over nine minutes during Tuesday's 80-60 win over Tulane.

Impact After starting in place of Jarace Walker in the teams previous contest, Francis returned to his role as a rotational player, though he ultimately did not see too much playing time. Francis held his own as a starter, tallying six points (2-4 FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, three steals and three blocks in last Wednesday's 83-77 win over South Florida. Returning to his role in the rotation off the bench, Francis made the most of his minutes once again.

JANUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Wednesday Francis will be in the starting lineup Wednesday against South Florida.

Impact The sophomore will be in the starting rotation Wednesday in place of Jarace Walker. The forward is averaging 6.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game this season.

JANUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dominant inside Francis finished Thursday's 87-53 victory over SMU with eight points (4-4 FG), seven rebounds and two blocks across 21 minutes.

Impact Francis was extremely dominant off the bench in Thursday's win. The Cougars forward tallied his second straight game finishing with at least eight points and seven rebounds, including four offensive boards on Thursday. Francis has seven blocks over the last three games.

JANUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects 15 rebounds in win Francis chipped in 17 points (7-10 FG, 3-4 FT), 15 rebounds and three blocks across 28 minutes during Tuesday's 74-46 victory over North Carolina A&T.

Impact Francis tallied his second double-double of the season in Tuesday's blowout win. The sophomore forward was a monster on the offensive glass, collecting seven offensive rebounds and tallying his fifth game with three or more blocks this season. Francis has provided an efficient scoring threat from the bench all season long for the Cougars.

DECEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double as backup Francis logged 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks across 17 minutes during Houston's 83-45 win Monday versus Oral Roberts.

Impact Francis has his first double-double as a collegiate athlete. Currently, the sophomore is Houston's backup center while Sadarius Bowser (illness) recovers. Francis averaged 4.3 points and 4.7 rebounds as a freshman.

NOVEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

College basketball 2022-23 countdown: No. 3 Houston

The Houston Cougars are talented, tough and steeped in Kelvin Sampson's culture. They're also No. 3 in our preseason countdown.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022

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College basketball 2022-23 countdown: No. 3 Houston