The Houston Rockets, who badly need a guard in their rebuilding efforts, now have top G League player and Fil-American guard Jalen Green in their roster.
The Rockets took in Green after they made the second pick in the NBA Draft’s first round of selection for the first time in 51 years yesterday.
The 6’6" Green, who plays as a combo guard, believes that the Rockets made a great choice of picking him because he plans to make the best out of this.
“(Five years from now), if everything goes right, they will say, ‘great choice,” said Green after he was drafted into the team.
Green said he has hopes of becoming this season’s Rookie of the Year, and All-Star and Defensive Player in succeeding years.
The last time the Rockets selected a second overall pick was back in 1970, when they were still called San Diego Rockets. They selected five-time NBA All-Star Rudy Tomjanovich.
The 19-year-old Green is Houston’s highest pick since they got Yao Ming as first overall in 2002.
“I’m in a program with the coaches. I can’t wait,” added Green, who is also the first draft pick in NBA G League Ignite history and is among the the top high school prospects in the Class of 2020 before signing with Ignite.
The G League Ignite had three players chosen during the 2021 NBA Draft.
This includes no. 7 overall pick Jonathan Kuminga, who went to the Golden State Warriors.
Isaiah Todd was selected with the first pick of the second round (31st overall) to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Todd was reportedly acquired by the Washington Wizards after two reported trades on Thursday.
The Houston Rockets are coming off a forgettable season, after a run of eight consecutive playoff appearances and 13 straight years without a losing record.
The franchise had a bad 2020-21 season with a 17-55 win-loss record.
In his 15 games in the G League last season, Green averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.53 steals, and 2.1 3-pointers made.