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With 3rd pick in 2022 NBA draft, Rockets selected Jabari Smith Jr.

During last night’s 2022 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets selected forward Jabari Smith Jr. with the third overall pick and forward Tari Eason (TAR-ee) with the 17th overall pick.

Smith (6-10, 220) was an early entry candidate following his freshman season at Auburn. He averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks along with 2.3 3-pointers made on 42.9% shooting. Smith earned consensus second-team All-American honors and was named National Freshman of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).

Dating back to 1992-93, the 19-year-old joined Kevin Durant as the only freshmen to have averaged at least 16.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 2.0 3FGM while shooting 40.0% or better from behind-the-arc. Over that same span, Smith was one of four freshmen to have averaged at least 16.0 ppg, 7.0 ppg, 2.0 3FGM and 1.00 bpg. He hit at least one 3-pointer in each of the final 29 games of the season.

Last year, the Rockets selected NBA All-Rookie First Team member Jalen Green with the second overall pick. The last time Houston selected players in the top-three in consecutive drafts was in 1983 with Hakeem Olajuwon (No. 1) and in 1984 with Ralph Sampson (No. 1) and Rodney McCray (No. 3). Prior to tonight, the last time any team selected players in the top-three in consecutive drafts was when Boston, Philadelphia, and the Los Angeles Lakers all did so in 2016 and 2017.

Eason (6-8, 216) was an early entry candidate following his sophomore season with Louisiana State after beginning his collegiate career at Cincinnati. He averaged 16.9 points on 52.1% shooting for the Tigers, up from 7.3 ppg on 46.2% shooting as a freshman and became the first player in SEC history to be named Sixth Man of the Year while also earning All-SEC First Team honors. Over the final 17 games last season, Eason averaged 18.4 ppg while shooting 42.9% from 3-point range.

In 2021-22, Eason was one of four players to have averaged at least 16.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.50 spg and 1.00 bpg. He recorded multiple steals in 20 of his 33 games played and was one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Rockets sign forward Anthony Lamb to two-way contract

The Houston Rockets have signed forward Anthony Lamb to a two-way contract. He is the 145th NBA G League “Call-Up” of the 2021-22 season. This is Lamb’s second Call-Up of the season, having signed a 10-day contract with San Antonio on Jan. 6.

Lamb (6-6, 225) was playing for the Rockets G League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley. In 26 regular season games for the Vipers, he averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.3 blocks and 2.9 3-pointers made on 39.8% shooting. Lamb also played in 13 games for Rio Grande Valley in the G League Showcase Cup, averaging 15.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.1 spg and 3.1 3FGM on 41.7% shooting.

In 2020-21, Lamb earned G League Most Improved Player honors while playing for the Canton Charge and the Vipers. He signed a two-way contract with Houston on March 8, 2020 and appeared in 24 games over the remainder of the season, scoring 20-plus points twice his final 11 games played. Lamb also played for the Rockets in the 2021 NBA Summer League and was with the team through the preseason.

Houston Rockets weekly notes: March 14, 2022

ROCKETS TEAM NOTES

Jalen Green has shot 45.0% or better from the floor in each of the past seven games while averaging 21.3 ppg over that span, after not having a streak longer than five games prior in his career… he has also recorded at least 4 assists in each of those seven games, which is the longest streak of his career.

Josh Christopher is averaging 16.8 points on 54.0% shooting over the past four games while recording three of his top-seven scoring totals over that span… per 36 minutes played this season, he is averaging 15.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals.

Beginning on Wednesday vs. Phoenix, the Rockets will play four straight home games over a span of six days… Houston has 14 games remaining this season, nine of which are at Toyota Center.

The Rockets are shooting 48.8% from the floor over the past seven games after shooting 42.7% the six games prior… Houston is 15-13 when shooting 47.0% or better this season.

Houston Rockets weekly notes: Feb. 28, 2022

ROCKETS TEAM NOTES

Jae’Sean Tate is the only player averaging at least 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.00 steals while playing fewer than 31.0 minutes per game this season… over the past four games, he is averaging 17.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.8 apg and 1.5 spg while shooting 63.4% from the floor.

Dennis Schröder recorded his first double-double of 2021-22 against the Clippers on Sunday with 11 points, a season-best 10 assists and a season-high tying 8 rebounds… in three starts as a Rocket, he is averaging 14.3 ppg, 9.3 apg and 5.7 rpg.

The Rockets have hit 14+ 3-pointers in consecutive games for the first time since 1/31 and 2/2… all but one of Houston’s wins this season have come when hitting at least 14 3FGM this season… the Rockets rank tied for sixth in 3-pointers made this season (13.3 per).

Houston has recorded 25+ assists in seven of the past 12 games after doing so four times the 17 games prior… the Rockets recorded an assist on 61.7% of their field goals made over the past 12 games, up from 55.5% the previous 17 games.

Rockets convert Daishen Nix’s contract from two-way to standard

The Houston Rockets have converted rookie guard Daishen Nix from a two-way contract into a standard NBA contract.

Nix was eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft and originally signed with Houston on Aug. 25. He spent last season with the G League Ignite, where he was teammates with fellow Rockets rookie Jalen Green.

In eight games for Houston this season, Nix is averaging 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.8 steals per 36 minutes played. He has also appeared in 27 games for the Rockets G League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley, while averaging 19.7 ppg, 6.0 apg, 5.6 rpg and 2.3 spg. Last season, Nix joined current teammate Kevin Porter Jr. as two of the three G League players who averaged at least 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

Nix turned 20 years old on Feb. 13.

Weekly Houston Rockets notes: Feb. 14, 2022

HOUSTON ROCKETS TEAM NOTES

Kevin Porter Jr. had 30 points vs. Toronto on 2/10 and 27 points at New Orleans on 2/8 after not having more than 23 points in a game prior this season… over his past 12 games played, Porter is averaging 17.3 ppg on 49.7% shooting from the floor and 48.2% shooting from 3-point range.

Dennis Schröder is set to make his Rockets debut at Utah on 2/14… over the past five seasons (2016-17 through 2020-21), he joined D’Angelo Russell as the only players to have averaged at least 17.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in fewer than 31.0 minutes per game.

The Rockets will play all three of their games on the road this week heading into NBA All-Star Weekend… Jalen Green, Jae’Sean Tate, and Alperen Sengun will participate in Friday night’s Rising Stars event while Green is one of four competitors in Saturday Night’s Slam Dunk contest.

Houston has scored 50+ points in the paint in five of the past six games and 29 times overall this season, matching its total from 2020-21… the Rockets rank seventh in PIP this season (48.7 per) after finishing 18th in 2020-21 (46.7 per).

Rockets trade Daniel Theis to Celtics for Dennis Schroder, Bruno Fernando and Enes Freedom

The Houston Rockets have traded center Daniel Theis to Boston in exchange for guard Dennis Schröder, center Bruno Fernando and center Enes Freedom.

In a related move, the Rockets have waived guards D.J. Augustin and Armoni Brooks.

Schröder (6-3, 172) was the 17th overall pick by Atlanta in the 2013 NBA Draft and is in his ninth season. For his career, Schröder has appeared in 606 games with 263 starts while averaging 14.3 point, 4.7 assists, and 2.9 rebounds, including 17.0 ppg and 5.2 apg dating back to 2016-17. Schröder was runner-up for the Sixth Man of the Year award while playing for Oklahoma City in 2019-20.

Fernando (6-9, 240) was the 34th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2019 NBA Draft before his rights were acquired by the Hawks. In three seasons, Fernando has appeared in 109 games with 13 starts while averaging 2.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game. The 23-year-old averaged 10.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.4 apg and 1.3 bpg while assigned to the G League this season.

Freedom (6-10, 250) was the third overall pick by Utah in the 2011 NBA Draft and is in his 11th season. In 748 career games with 259 starts, he is averaging 11.2 ppg and 7.8 rpg in 21.5 mpg.

Theis, 29, has played in 285 games (141 starts) over five NBA seasons with Boston, Chicago, and Houston, averaging 7.5 points on 54.1% shooting (32.7% 3-PT), 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 blocked shots, and 19.6 minutes. He has played in 26 games for Houston this season (21 starts), contributing 8.4 points (46.9% FG), and 5.0 rebounds in 22.5 minutes.

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Celtics in July of 2017, Theis produced 7.2 points on 55.4% shooting (34.5% 3-PT), 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 blocks, 13 double-doubles, and 18.8 minutes in 236 games (106 starts) over parts of four seasons with the Celtics from 2017-18 to 2020-21. He played a critical role during the Celtics Eastern Conference Finals run in the 2020 NBA Playoffs, averaging 8.9 points (52.1% FG), 7.1 rebounds, 1.2 blocked shots, and 28.4 minutes, while starting each of Boston’s 17 postseason contests.

Augustin was acquired by Houston in March of last season and appeared in a total of 54 games as a Rocket.

Brooks made his NBA debut with the Rockets last April and played in a total of 61 games for Houston.

Houston Rockets weekly team notes: January 31, 2022

KJ Martin had a season-high 17 points vs. Portland on 1/28 and is averaging 14.7 ppg on 74.1% shooting over the past three games… he is shooting 53.1% overall this season and 52.0% for his career.

Christian Wood has grabbed 14+ rebounds in four of the past five games and 14 times overall this season after doing so eight times prior in his career… he is averaging a career-high 10.3 rpg overall this season and ranks 11th in the NBA.

Following Wednesday’s game vs. Cleveland, Houston will have seven games remaining heading into All-Star break, five of which will be on the road… post All-Star break, the Rockets will play 15 of their final 24 games at Toyota Center.

The Rockets have already outrebounded their opponent 20 times this season after doing so 19 times in 2020-21… Houston has also outrebounded its opponent by double digits five times this season after doing so twice in 2020-21.

Rockets forward Usman Garuba undergoes wrist surgery

Houston Rockets forward Usman Garuba has undergone surgery to repair his fractured left wrist.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Matthew Koepplinger, Assistant Professor, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and affiliated Memorial Hermann orthopedic surgeon.

The injury occurred while Garuba was on assignment with the Rockets NBA G League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley.

He is expected to miss 6-8 weeks for rehabilitation.

Rockets notes as team prepares to face Spurs

The Rockets have held opponents to 34.0% shooting from 3-point range over the past 11 games after the opposition shot 39.9% the 12 games prior… Houston ranks 14th in 3-point defense this season (opponents: 34.6%) after finishing 27th in 2020-21 (opponents: 38.2%).

Houston has scored 20+ points off turnovers twice over the past four games, including a season-high 29 at Golden State on 1/21, after not having more than 16 in any of the eight games prior.

Christian Wood has hit 2+ 3-pointers in a career-high tying five straight games and is averaging 3.0 3FGM on 51.7% shooting over that span… he is tied for the third-most 3FGM (77) of any player listed 6’10” or taller this season.

Garrison Mathews is averaging 14.4 points while shooting 11-of-20 from 3-point range over the past three games after having a total of 5 points while shooting 1-of-11 from behind-the-arc the three games prior… Houston is 9-5 when he scores at least 13 points this season.