Kevin Houston
Encyclopedia
Kevin Houston was an American
basketball player who is best known for leading NCAA Division I in scoring during his senior
season at Army
in 1986–87. He averaged 32.9 points per game in 29 games played and set still-standing school records for points in a single game (53) and season (953).
Houston was raised in Pearl River, New York
and was a three-year starter on the varsity basketball team at Pearl River High School
. He was a diminutive , 165 lbs. in his prime during college, so as a high school player was even smaller. His small stature played a big role in why he was overlooked by college scouts.
Houston decided to attended the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School in New Jersey
for one year after high school. The United States Military Academy
(Army), located in his home state of New York
, was the only university that had shown Houston any interest during his basketball recruitment. He enrolled at Army in the fall of 1983 to play for the Black Knights. During his four year career, Houston started every single one of the 113 games he played in, which ties him for the most all-time games played in Army history. By the time he graduated from the Academy in 1987, he had re-written the school's record book. Houston scored still-standing program records for points in a game (53), season (953), career (2,325), and season points per game (32.9) among others. He was the first ever Army player to be named the Haggerty Award
winner, an honor that he shared as a senior with St. John's
Mark Jackson
, which is given to the best men's basketball player in the greater New York City
metropolitan area. Houston was also the 1986–87 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year
and the NCAA season scoring champion. He was a three-time All-MAAC honoree, two-time honorable mention All-American
and one-time third team All-American.
After college, Houston served his mandatory stint in the United States Army
for several years. He got into high school coaching and guided the Storm King School
, located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, to two New England Private School Championships in just seven years. One of his players was future NBA Draft
pick Sammy Mejia
. Today he is married to his wife Elizabeth. They have three children: Lauren, Luke and Leanne.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball player who is best known for leading NCAA Division I in scoring during his senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
season at Army
Army Black Knights men's basketball
The Army Black Knights men's basketball team represents the United States Military Academy in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college basketball. Army currently competes as a member of the Patriot League and plays its home games at Christl Arena in West Point, New York.Army is...
in 1986–87. He averaged 32.9 points per game in 29 games played and set still-standing school records for points in a single game (53) and season (953).
Houston was raised in Pearl River, New York
Pearl River, New York
Pearl River is a hamlet , in the Town of Orangetown Rockland County, New York, United States located east of Nauraushaun; north of the state of New Jersey; south of Nanuet and west of Blauvelt...
and was a three-year starter on the varsity basketball team at Pearl River High School
Pearl River High School (New York)
Pearl River High School , part of the Pearl River School District, is a high school educating students in grades 8 through 12. PRHS is located in the hamlet of Pearl River, in Rockland County, New York, United States...
. He was a diminutive , 165 lbs. in his prime during college, so as a high school player was even smaller. His small stature played a big role in why he was overlooked by college scouts.
Houston decided to attended the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
for one year after high school. The United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
(Army), located in his home state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, was the only university that had shown Houston any interest during his basketball recruitment. He enrolled at Army in the fall of 1983 to play for the Black Knights. During his four year career, Houston started every single one of the 113 games he played in, which ties him for the most all-time games played in Army history. By the time he graduated from the Academy in 1987, he had re-written the school's record book. Houston scored still-standing program records for points in a game (53), season (953), career (2,325), and season points per game (32.9) among others. He was the first ever Army player to be named the Haggerty Award
Haggerty Award
The Haggerty Award is given to the All-Metropolitan New York Division I men's college basketball player of the year, presented by the National Invitation Tournament and the Met Basketball Writers Association...
winner, an honor that he shared as a senior with St. John's
St. John's Red Storm men's basketball
The St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team represents the St. John's University in Queens, New York. The team participates in the Big East Conference. The men’s coach Norm Roberts was fired on March 19, 2010...
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson (basketball)
Mark A. Jackson is a retired American professional basketball player and the current head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He played point guard for the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Houston Rockets in the NBA in a career...
, which is given to the best men's basketball player in the greater New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
metropolitan area. Houston was also the 1986–87 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is a basketball award given to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's most outstanding player. The award was first given following the 1981–82 season. Three players have won the award multiple times: Steve Burtt and Luis...
and the NCAA season scoring champion. He was a three-time All-MAAC honoree, two-time honorable mention All-American
NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The NCAA Men's Basketball All-American teams are honorary teams made up of those NCAA basketball players voted the best in the country by a variety of organizations.-History:...
and one-time third team All-American.
After college, Houston served his mandatory stint in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
for several years. He got into high school coaching and guided the Storm King School
Storm King School
Established as the Cornwall Heights School in 1867 by Louis P. Ledoux, an Amherst graduate and pastor of the Cornwall Presbyterian Church, the school was later known as the Stone School during the time it was directed by Dr. Carlos H. Stone. In 1923, during the tenure of Headmaster Alvan P...
, located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, to two New England Private School Championships in just seven years. One of his players was future NBA Draft
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
pick Sammy Mejia
Sammy Mejia
Sammy Jose Mejia is a Dominican American professional basketball player who currently plays for CSKA Moscow and who played college basketball at DePaul University.-Amateur career:...
. Today he is married to his wife Elizabeth. They have three children: Lauren, Luke and Leanne.