Category: Houston Rockets Blog

The Houston Rockets today announced they have hired Julian Duncan as their Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer. He most recently served as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In addition to directing the team’s marketing, promotional, and branding efforts, Duncan will also oversee fan experience, digital content, retail, and community engagement.

“Julian has a proven track record for brand innovation and leadership.” said Rockets President of Business Operations Gretchen Sheirr. “We believe Julian’s impact will resonate not only within our organization and fanbase, but throughout the Houston community.”

“As a native Houstonian, it is a dream come true to have the opportunity to come back home and join the Rockets,” said Duncan. “I am excited to be part of an organization with such a rich history and to help build upon a brand that is endeared by Rockets fans across the globe.”

Duncan played football at Rice University while double-majoring in Sport Management and English. He earned an MBA from Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business in 2006.

Following a stint as a player in NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League, Duncan returned to Houston as a business analyst in the energy field. He later joined Nike’s Marketing Development Program and became their Global Brand Director. During his time at Nike and later Under Armour, Duncan’s work promoted the brands of numerous athletes and cultural icons, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Serena Williams, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Along with a collection of global CMOs, Duncan serves on the steering committee and advisory board for Adweek’s Brandweek platform, whose mission is to catalyze the growth and development of marketeers worldwide through event experiences, online and print engagement, mentorship, and training.

Houston Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone today announced Chris Wallace and Matt Bullard have joined the team’s basketball operations department.

“We’re always looking for ways to grow as an organization and Chris Wallace and Matt Bullard both have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will aid in our decision making processes,” said Stone. “Chris has decades of experience in scouting and evaluating players while Matt’s insights as a former player and as a broadcaster lends another unique voice to our internal discussions.”

Wallace recently finished his 14th season with the Memphis Grizzlies, having served as their general manager before transitioning to senior advisor to player personnel. He helped construct a Grizzlies team which made seven straight playoff appearances from 2011-2017, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2013. Prior to joining Memphis, Wallace spent 10 seasons as general manager of the Boston Celtics from 1997-2007.

Bullard played nine of his 11 seasons as a Rocket and was a member of Houston’s first championship team in 1993-94. He spent the past 16 seasons with the Rockets television broadcast as an analyst and color commentator. In addition to his duties with basketball operations, Bullard will also be involved in the organization’s community and grassroots basketball initiatives.

The Rockets also recently added Matthew Barlowe and Jake Flancer as analysts and Ross Homan and Javier Pesquera as scouts.

The Houston Rockets today signed guard Khyri Thomas (Ky-ree) to a multi-year contract, and signed forward Cam Reynolds to a 10-day contract using a hardship exception.

Thomas (6-3, 210) originally signed a 10-day contract with Houston on May 7 and averaged 20.3 points over his first three games, including a career-high 27 at Utah on May 8. He had a career-best 11 assists with just one turnover in the Rockets last game at the Los Angeles Lakers on May 12.

Through four games with Houston, Thomas has recorded 65 points, 20 assists, 15 rebounds, 9 steals and 3 blocks. Dating back to 1983-84, he is the second Rocket (James Harden in 2015-16) to have posted those numbers within a player’s first four games in a season.

Reynolds (6-8, 225) was eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft following his senior season at Tulane. After averaging 16.1 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Austin Spurs in the G League bubble this season, Reynolds signed a 10-day contract with San Antonio on March 26 and saw limited action in three games.

Last season, Reynolds was with Milwaukee as a two-way player and spent his time with their G league affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, while averaging 14.8 points and 5.2 rebounds. He began 2018-19 playing for the Stockton Kings in the G League before signing with Minnesota and shooting 41.2% from 3-point range in 19 games. Reynolds has averaged 2.6 3-pointers made on 37.2% shooting in his G League career.

The Houston Rockets have signed guard Khyri Thomas to a 10-day contract using a hardship exception.

Thomas (6-3, 210) was originally the 38th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2018 NBA Draft before his rights were traded to Detroit. He appeared in a total of 34 games for the Pistons over the past two seasons.

This season, Thomas appeared in seven games for the Austin Spurs during the NBA G League bubble while averaging 13.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 3-pointers made on 45.7% shooting. He had the fourth-highest 3-point percentage of any player who averaged at least 2.0 3FGM with two or more games played.

Thomas earned Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors in two of his three seasons at Creighton. He shot 40.6% from 3-point range for his career with the Bluejays.

Houston Rockets Chief Executive Officer Thaddeus “Tad” Brown today announced he will transition from his role at the end of the season.

Brown originally joined the Rockets as their Vice President of Corporate Development for the 2002-03 season and was named CEO in October of 2006.

“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to lead the Houston Rockets and Clutch City Sports and Entertainment,” said Brown. “The executives, City leaders, partners and staff I’ve been blessed to work with over the past 20 years represent the best our industry and region have to offer, and all have been critical to building the world class organization that fans and partners on a global scale proudly support today.

“When Tilman and I first started discussing a succession plan, it was very emotional for us both as we’ve known each other since I first moved to Houston. We built a friendship when Tilman and Paige were fans and corporate partners. We’ve seen each other’s kids grow up; and ultimately established a very successful business partnership when he purchased the team. I can’t thank Tilman enough for his support and friendship, and for the confidence and trust he placed in me. I am excited to see what the future holds for the franchise. Led by Tilman, Patrick and the Fertitta family, the Rockets organization is in great hands for generations to come.

“I’m also excited to see what the future holds for me and my family as we look to our next adventure. The Houston Rockets and Toyota Center personnel – past and present – have become an important part of our lives and will always live in our hearts. They’re our family forever. What a privilege it has been to be a small part of Clutch City’s history, truly the experience of a lifetime.”

“On behalf of the entire Rockets organization and my family, I want to thank Tad for his stellar and tireless service to the Houston Rockets franchise,” said Rockets owner Tilman J. Fertitta. “I could not have asked for a better leader to work with since becoming owner.

“Tad has played an integral role in the success of our franchise both on and off the court. I have known Tad since his arrival in Houston 19 years ago and want to sincerely thank him for his friendship and for building a tremendous organization throughout the Rockets and Toyota Center.

The Houston Rockets have signed free agent guard Armoni Brooks to a two-way contract.

In related moves, the Rockets waived guard Ben McLemore and center Justin Patton.

Brooks (6-3, 195) was eligible for the 2019 NBA Draft following his junior season at the University of Houston. He spent 2019-20 with the College Park Skyhawks in the G League before being acquired this season by the Rockets affiliate, Rio Grande Valley.

In 15 games for the Vipers, Brooks averaged 16.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.07 steals. He led the G League in 3-pointers made (57) while averaging 3.8 on 37.5% shooting. Over his final two collegiate seasons with the Cougars, Brooks averaged 2.8 3-pointers made on 40.2% shooting.

McLemore was in his second season with Houston. In 103 games with 27 starts as a Rocket, he averaged 9.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.3 3-pointers made on 38.2% shooting.

Patton signed a two-way contract with Houston on Feb. 19 and appeared in 13 games with six starts, averaging 5.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.08 blocks.

The Houston Rockets have signed guard Mason Jones to a 10-day contract.

Jones (6-5, 200) was an early entry candidate for the 2020 NBA Draft following his junior season at Arkansas and originally signed a two-way contract with Houston on Nov. 26, 2020. He has appeared in 22 games with one start for the Rockets this season. Per 36 minutes played, Jones is averaging 18.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.

The 22-year-old has scored in double-figures four times this season, including a career-best 24 points while shooting 6-of-8 from 3-point range at San Antonio on Jan. 16. Jones shot 9-of-10 from the foul line vs. Memphis on Feb. 28, marking the most free throw attempts by a Rockets rookie since Luis Scola in 2007-08.

The Houston Rockets have signed forward Anthony Lamb to a two-way contract. He had been playing for their NBA G League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley.

And in a related move, the Rockets have waived guard Mason Jones. He appeared in 22 games as a rookie this season.

Lamb (6-6, 225) was eligible for the 2020 NBA Draft following his senior season at Vermont. He earned America East Player of the Year honors as both a junior and a senior.

After starting the G League season with the Canton Charge, Lamb was acquired by the Vipers and appeared in six regular season games while averaging 18.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks. He also averaged 2.2 3-pointers made on 41.9% shooting.