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Rockets Sign Nate Hinton To Summer League, Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. To Join

The Houston Rockets' Summer League roster will feature second-year prospects Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr., as well as former University of Houston guard Nate Hinton.

HOUSTON — Information about the Houston Rockets summer league team is starting to emerge.

According to The Athletic, former University of Houston guard Nate Hinton will play for the Rockets during the NBA Summer League tournament in July. Houston's team would also feature Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr.

Eason and Smith played for the Rockets as rookies last summer, where Houston went 2-3.

The NBA named Eason as one of five players to make the NBA 2K23 All-Summer League First Team. He averaged 17.2 points on 44.7 percent shooting from the field to go along with 1.8 steals and a block during the Rockets' five-game outing.

Smith struggled offensively in three of the five games but showcased his potential as a defensive juggernaut. His best defensive game came during the Rockets' 90-88 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Smith notched nine rebounds, four steals and three blocks against draft mate Chet Holmgren.

Hinton is joining the Rockets in Las Vegas as part of the Cleveland Cavaliers' G League affiliate team, the Charge. In 27 games last season, Hinton averaged 12.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals.

The Rockets will open the 2023 NBA Summer League tournament on Thursday, July 7 against Scoot Henderson and the Portland Trail Blazers inside the Thomas & Mack Center.

Following their opening night contest against the Trail Blazers, the Rockets will then take on the Detroit Pistons (July 9), Oklahoma City Thunder (July 11), and Golden State Warriors (July 13).


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