Rockets 2022-2023 Player Review: TyTy Washington Jr. Finds His Niche In G League

HOUSTON — TyTy Washington Jr. came into the season as a prime candidate to backup Kevin Porter Jr. at point guard. But halfway through the 2022-23 campaign, it was clear Daishen Nix was the primary backup.

But instead of wasting his rookie season on the bench, former coach Stephen Silas felt it was in Washington's best interest to gain NBA experience playing for the Rockets' G League affiliate team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

He averaged 20.2 points on 48.3 percent shooting from the field and 4.7 assists in the 10 games he played with the Vipers. Washington's best game came in a 21-point loss to the Stockton Kings in January. He scored a career-best 53 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the loss.

Washington helped the Vipers reach the G-League Finals, where they lost in a two-game sweep to the Delaware Blue Coats. But his time spent with the Vipers has laid a foundation that could result in a successful NBA career.

"I just want him to get some minutes and continue to grow," Silas said. "As much as we can try and tell him, 'this is what you have to work on,' he has to feel it. Going back down there, he will be able to apply the things he learned while he was here."

When Porter went down with a left toe contusion on Jan. 11, Silas stated that the lack of a facilitator and shot creator hampered the Rockets' play.

But in the few games Washington played in Porter's absence, the rookie prospect from Kentucky displayed confidence in his ball-handling and scoring to enhance Houston's insufficient guard play.

Houston received a glimpse into Washington's potential in two of the final six games before the All-Star break.

As a scoring guard embodying his all-time favorite player Allen Iverson, Washington registered a career-high 20 points (9-of-16 FG, 2-of-7 3PT) in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 4. Five nights later, he set a career-high six assists in a two-point loss against the Miami Heat.

Washington appeared in 31 games as a rookie. But his split time between the G League and NBA was enough to create a blueprint to utilize during the off-season in hopes of a better sophomore campaign with more minutes.

"It's all about staying ready whenever my number is called," Washington said. "When I am on the court, it doesn't matter if I am making shots or not, I am going to find ways to be productive. It's about having that next-man-up mentality."

Stats: Averaged 4.7 points and 1.5 assists in 31 games played with the Rockets.

Contract: Washington will become entering the second season of his rookie contract next season.

You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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