Houston HC Sampson: 'All 15 players,' some staff have had COVID-19

All 15 players and some coaching staff for sixth-ranked Houston have tested positive for COVID-19 at some point, head coach Kelvin Sampson told reporters Thursday, according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Cwik.

Sampson and his son, assistant coach Kellen Sampson, sat out the team's game against South Carolina on Dec. 5 due to virus tracing protocols. On Dec. 8, the entire men's program paused team-related activities.

"The last time that I saw these kids in a game was Nov. 29," Sampson said. "This is unprecedented, man."

The team resumed on-court activities in preparation for its game against Alcorn State on Dec. 20.

Six players have been able to practice, and Sampson believes two or three more could be cleared ahead of the game. However, he said his players aren't in basketball shape, according to Cwik.