GM Rafael Stone Thrilled For Rockets All-Rookie Second Team Selections
HOUSTON — Houston Rockets' rookies Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. became the third set of teammates to make the NBA's All-Rookie Team in franchise history. Monday afternoon, the league announced Eason and Smith as part of the All-Rookie Second Team for the 2022-23 campaign.
Eason and Smith have established themselves as cornerstone prospects amid the Rockets' ongoing rebuild. And according to Fox 26 Houston, general manager Rafael Stone believes the second team selection will be the first of many honors the rookie duo will receive throughout their respective careers.
"They are very aware that all the hard work and all the real success lies ahead, and like the rest of our guys, they're anxious to get going," Stone said. "A couple of years ago, we set out on this journey and the idea was to bring in a bunch of young talent and we think we've succeeded.
"It hasn't been perfect, and not everything always goes exactly according to plan, but we do think that we have a talented group of young guys and that we're well set up to push forward into the future."
Smith was the Rockets' third overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He started 79 games and averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds.
He scored a career-best 30 points on 52.6 percent shooting from the field, 3 of 5 from behind the arc, and 12 rebounds during the Rockets' nine-point overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers on March 9. Smith averaged 16.3 points during the final 18 games and received one vote for first place.
Eason was the 17th overall pick by Houston and was one of two players who appeared in all 82 games. The LSU prospect averaged 9.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals.
He became the third player in league history to tally 80 or more steals and 40 or more blocks since the 1980-81 season — joining James Worthy and Scottie Pippen. Eason received two votes for the NBA's All-Rookie First Team.
Eason and Smith were joined by Detroit Pistons Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey, as well as Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs.
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