Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has assigned guard Jermaine Taylor to Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In addition, the Rockets have signed Rio Grande Valley guard Will Conroy to a 10-day contract, marking Conroy’s fourth-career Call-Up to the NBA.
Taylor (6-4, 210, Central Florida) has averaged 2.4 points and 0.2 assists in 13 games with the Rockets. A rookie out of Central Florida, Taylor recorded a season-high seven points (2-2 FG, 3-3 FT), one rebound and one steal in just 2:17 of action vs. Atlanta (1/25/10). He also scored five points (5-6 FT) earlier this season at Dallas (11/10/09). Taylor, who had his draft rights acquired by Houston from Washington on June 25, 2009, was selected by the Wizards in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft. He also averaged 11.0 points and 2.3 assists in four games (two starts) with Houston in the 2009 NBA Summer League.
“Jermaine has done a terrific job in his role with the Rockets and this opportunity to get extended minutes with the Vipers is the next step in his development,” said Rockets Vice President of Basketball Operations and Rio Grande Valley General Manager Gersson Rosas. “Coach Adelman and his staff have been very impressed with Jermaine’s work ethic and his willingness to learn our system. We want to give him the opportunity to get back into regular game situations and let him apply some of the things he has learned during his time with the Rockets. Jermaine’s athleticism and scoring ability will make an immediate impact on the Vipers.”
Conroy (6-2, 195, Washington) has averaged 13.9 points, 8.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.46 steals in 13 games (11 starts) with Rio Grande Valley this season. In his first season with the Vipers, Conroy was acquired from the Albuquerque Thunderbirds for Kurt Looby on Dec. 30, 2009. Previously signed as a free agent by the Rockets on Sept. 22, 2009, Conroy averaged 6.0 points and 2.6 assists in five preseason games with Houston. He was waived by the Rockets on Oct. 22, 2009. Conroy also received three Call-Ups during the 2006-07 season, playing in three games after one Call-Up with the Memphis Grizzlies and four games after two Call-Ups with the L.A. Clippers. Overall, he has picked up nine assists and seven rebounds in seven career NBA games.
“We were very impressed with Will during Rockets training camp and he has continued his fine play as a member of the Vipers,” added Rosas on the Conroy signing. “Will is an NBA-caliber guard who will benefit from spending additional time with the Rockets. Since joining the Vipers at the end of December, Will has demonstrated the high level of consistency that we’ve come to expect from him. He will provide the Rockets with additional depth and stability at the guard position.”
