In the Lumbee Tribe's hub of Pembroke, population 2,832, they will be rooting on Houston coach Kelvin Sampson, a local hero from this tightly knit and often overlooked community. "We are just so proud of him,

Kelvin Sampson, a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, is the first Native American coach to lead to a team to the Final Four.

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson has a team in the Final Four for the third time in his storied coaching career. There's something a little poetic for Sampson playing Duke on Saturday night. Sampson was born in Laurinburg,

He said he never took his late mother's advice, but time and experience have given him the wisdom to appreciate his unique journey and those who helped him get here.

The journey began for Kelvin Sampson in Butte, Mont., arguably as far from college basketball’s grandest stage as one could get. Forty-four years later, he has the University of Houston just 40 minutes away from its — and his — first national championship in Monday night’s title game against Florida at the Alamodome.

The veteran coach has rebuilt the Cougars with grit, substance and character. He just earned his greatest victory in the Final Four against Duke.