The Houston Rockets today assigned rookies Terrence Jones and Scott Machado to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ NBA Development League affiliate. The assignment is the first for Jones and the second for Machado, and the 25th and 26th of the 2012-13 NBA and NBA D-League seasons.
Jones (6-9, 252, Kentucky) has appeared in seven games for the Rockets this season, averaging 3.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 10.4 minutes. Selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Rockets, Jones averaged 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 76 career games for the Wildcats. A member of the 2012 NCAA Championship team, Jones earned Second-Team All-SEC honors last season and was selected the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2010-11.
Machado (6-1, 205, Iona) returns to the Vipers having been assigned from Nov. 14-26, when he appeared in two games and averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds. In one game for the Rockets this season, Machado scored two points in three minutes. A four-year contributor at Iona, Machado was named MAAC Player of the Year in 2012 and finished with a Gaels’ record 880 career assists.
Jones and Machado are expected to join the Vipers today and be available tonight when the team visits the Tulsa 66ers.
