History of Houston Basketball Part 1 I The Big E I A Houston Rockets Documentary

The early years of sport in Houston and the beginnings of basketball. The U of H Cougars Basketball Team coached by Guy Lewis and the Sixties, which saw three professional sports teams in each of the three major sports arrive in the city. The world's first domed stadium, the Astrodome, opens in 1965. Slater Martin is hired by the ABA's Houston Maverick's to guide the team through their inaugural season in 1967.

In the late 60's, as professional basketball in the city got off to a slow start, the University of Houston Cougars achieved the greatest successes the programme had seen when Guy Lewis recruited Elvin Hayes & Don Chaney. They were the first black players to join the colleges basketball programme as sweeping social changes took place across the USA that led to the slow desegregation of the South.

As Elvin Hayes looks to begin his professional career, he is recruited by the ABA's Houston Mavericks who hope that bringing the UH Cougars star to the franchise can turn their fortunes around. The San Diego Rockets of the NBA also draft The Big E, giving him the option to stay in Houston with the ABA or enter the more established league.

Alex Hannum takes over as Head Coach in San Diego but is soon replaced by Tex Winter. Both coaches clash with Elvin Hayes over his insistence on the offense running through him. The owner of the Rockets looks to sell the team in the early seventies which provides an ownership group from Houston an opportunity to bring professional basketball back to the city.