Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has recalled guard Ishmael Smith from Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley. Smith is expected to join the team in Minnesota in time for tonight’s game against the Timberwolves.
The rookie guard was originally assigned to the Vipers on 1/17, and averaged 12.8 points, 7.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in four games (one start) with Rio Grande Valley. During his assignment, Smith led Rio Grande Valley to a perfect 4-0 record, and in his last game with the Vipers against the Dakota Wizards on 1/22, posted his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 assists in 37 minutes to fuel a 114-101 Vipers win. Smith is the second Rockets player to be assigned to the Vipers and recalled this season; following rookie forward Patrick Patterson, who played in nine games for Rio Grande Valley during a month-long assignment from 11/9-12/13.
Smith (6-0, 175, Wake Forest), who earned a roster spot a
