Coach Kelvin Sampson walked into the University of Houston locker room and immediately grabbed attention for his new footwear.

Then Sampson paused and unzipped his jacket to unveil a red polo shirt with Nike's iconic Jordan Brand Jumpman logo.

UH announced Friday a partnership that will make Jordan Brand the new apparel and shoe provider for the men's basketball team. The Cougars are the only school in the state of Texas to have a deal with Nike's premium brand.

UH joins a small fraternity of college men's basketball programs to wear the Jordan Brand, among them North Carolina, Michigan, Georgetown, Oklahoma, Florida and Marquette.

Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available. UH will have the Jumpman logo – the widely-known silhouette of a dunking Michael Jordan - on its uniforms and official apparel beginning with the 2018-19 season

"I knew when this day came that it would get a strong reaction," Sampson said after the announcement in the second-floor locker room in the Guy V. Lewis

Facility. "[The Jordan Brand] is not only iconic, but when people talk about their all-time favorite player, he transcends generations. Like LeBron James will and Kobe [Bryant] does, Michael Jordan is still the king, and it shows in his footwear."

While UH will continue to be a Nike school, the most noticeable difference will be the Nike trademark Swoosh replaced by the Jumpman logo. Sampson said the Cougars will be a "cutting edge" Jordan Brand member, wearing the latest in apparel and shoes. As part of Friday's announcement, each player received a pair of Air Jordan 9 Retro.

"It's a powerful name," forward Breaon Brady said. "When you hear Jordan, everybody knows Jordan. Michael Jordan is a global name. It's a successful brand."

Sampson got word the Jordan Brand would add UH in November, timing that eventually coincided with one of the program's best seasons in decades and the scheduled opening of the $60 million Fertitta Center later this year.

"I think we're going to be a strong partner because of the elevation of our program as it moves forward," Sampson said. "It brings popularity and a lot more eyeballs on us."

Sampson said the association with the Jordan Brand will make an impact when it comes to recruiting. With Friday's announcement, the Jordan Brand now has a presence in six Division I conferences – American Athletic, ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten and SEC.

"These kids have grown up with Michael Jordan," Sampson said. "They know what that Jumpman logo is and what it represents. It represents greatness. It represents six championships. It represents a man that transcends the sport.

"When they get money in their pockets they are going to buy gear. Not just shoes. That Jumpman logo is strong. Will it affect recruiting? You got to believe it will. Being the only university in the state of Texas that will be associated with Jordan Brand, I think it can only be a positive for us."

After the announcement, players sat at their lockers trying on the new Jordan shoes.

"It felt like Christmas," guard Galen Robinson Jr. said. "I can't wait until next year. I've got them on – and I'm not taking them off."