Interviews: Rockets practice in Houston, set 2022 summer league goals
HOUSTON — Less than two weeks ago, Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr., LSU forward Tari Eason, and Kentucky guard TyTy Washington didn’t know where their professional home would be. Now, after all were selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, they’re headed to Las Vegas to headline the 2022 summer league squad for the Rockets.
The newly drafted rookies are the obvious headliners, as evidenced by their ceremonial activity later that same day of throwing out the first pitch at Tuesday night’s Astros game. But there are accomplished second-year players on the roster, as well, in guard Josh Christopher and forward Usman Garuba. The summer Rockets will also feature third-year forward Anthony Lamb and a handful of undrafted rookies hoping to earn training camp invites from Houston or any other NBA team.
It all starts Thursday night in Las Vegas (schedule), when Smith leads the summer Rockets versus No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero and the summer Magic. Until then, here’s what the players had to say Tuesday at the Toyota Center practice court in Houston, along with insights from Stephen Silas and summer league head coach Rick Higgins.
Scroll on for highlights of Tuesday’s practice, as well.
Daishen Nix
Eron Gordon
Eron Gordon is nine years younger than his brother, Eric, and acknowledges he’s never beaten him one-on-one. pic.twitter.com/xOlCz4eAGx
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 5, 2022
Eron Gordon, Eric Gordon’s younger brother on being on the Summer League Rockets! #ChalkTalk pic.twitter.com/XjjJeUHc6x
— Kim Davis (@kimydavis) July 5, 2022
Stephen Silas
I asked Houston Rockets HC Stephen Silas about how much @TAR13ASON reminds him of @Jaygup23 (Josh Christopher) with his work ethic:
“A lot. Those two guys are on the court consistently after practice and before practice.” #Rockets #LightTheFuse #NBA #Sarge #nbasummerleague2k22 pic.twitter.com/6gZ4UCoT5u— Houston Sports Insider (@BigSargeSportz) July 5, 2022
On #Rockets rookie @TAR13ASON –
SL HC Rick Higgins: ”He's bringing huge amounts of energy. His voice has been great for our group.”
HC Silas: “He just has a knack for getting the basketball, on either end of the floor, which is great. And he’s really good in transition.” pic.twitter.com/bQZmhHzBah— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 6, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr.
#Rockets rookie @jabarismithjr on what he’s getting from talking with teammates that have been in the league a bit. “Don’t make it complicated, do what you’re good at. At the end of the day you’ve gotta play hard.” @SportsTalk790 pic.twitter.com/MM6OgDRIKH
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 5, 2022
Here are some thoughts from @jabarismithjr and Rockets Assistant Coach Rick Higgins, who will coach the team during the @NBASummerLeague! pic.twitter.com/J48Iib3BNL
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) July 5, 2022
Josh Christopher
Josh Christopher on the @HoustonRockets three first-round picks: “I love ‘em. I love the energy. That SEC energy.” pic.twitter.com/iazWmrQjV6
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 5, 2022
Rick Higgins
Rockets summer league coach, Rick Higgins was asked about how the team was coming along..
He immediately began to praise Tari Eason (@TAR13ASON)
"He's bringing huge amounts of energy. His voice has been great for our group." pic.twitter.com/qXxYLg122C
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) July 5, 2022
Highlights
#Rockets rookie @TAR13ASON getting up shots after todays summer league practice. @SportsTalk790 pic.twitter.com/nrHWIQ6IRO
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 5, 2022
Last one in the gym.. Josh Christopher (@Jaygup23) 🏀 pic.twitter.com/IL9BJJ8ab6
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) July 5, 2022
Stephen Silas and Tari Eason (@TAR13ASON) share a moment following practice pic.twitter.com/CiaiSREccf
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) July 5, 2022
Rockets Summer League team pic.twitter.com/RCxJmOf8yd
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 5, 2022
Josh Christopher breaks free pic.twitter.com/6m0l1mKN9n
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 5, 2022
Rockets ass’t coach Rick Higgins who’ll be the team’s Summer League coach. pic.twitter.com/5SQwZmE9zA
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 5, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr—- and one 👀 pic.twitter.com/kyptibEyOd
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) July 5, 2022
Two of the Rockets new ass’t coaches: Mahmoud Abdelfattah and Mike Batiste working with the @HoustonRockets Summer League team. pic.twitter.com/FkOApT36Nb
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 5, 2022
Yes it’s just a summer league practice but Jabari length is insane. Even if a guard can get a step his reach will make up for any speed advantage they may hand like it did against Ty Ty pic.twitter.com/lBkUUt1kQG
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) July 5, 2022
Here are some sights and sounds from today's @HoustonRockets practice in preparation for the @NBASummerLeague! pic.twitter.com/NE9XrriHZO
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) July 5, 2022
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