Jalen Green made a positive impression during his time scrimmaging against Team USA in Las Vegas, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Green helped the Select Team pick up an early victory in the competitions, and Grant Hill, managing director of USA Basketball, liked what he saw from the Rockets‘ young guard.
“He played well,” Hill said. “He was one of the few guys that I had not seen in person. I obviously had seen him in highlights and on videos, even going back to high school. He’s dynamic. He’s explosive. He’s very confident.”
Green has experienced individual success during his first two NBA seasons, averaging 17.3 and 22.1 points per game, but the rebuilding Rockets have been among the NBA’s worst teams. Houston aggressively upgraded its roster this summer, and Hill sees a brighter future for Green and the organization.
“He’s had a couple of seasons to really understand what the NBA is, and that’s important,” Hill said. “I like the moves the Rockets made this offseason bringing in veteran guys, guys who have been around the league, guys who have had success — Fred (VanVleet) has been a champion — but can still play. You bring in coach (Ime) Udoka, who brings in a level of accountability and teaching. All of that, for a guy like Jalen, is a great chance for him to really grow. I think he’s ready and that team is ready to take a step this season.”
There’s more from Houston:
- NBA teams don’t have full control over whether their players take part in international competitions, but Rockets general manager Rafael Stone is happy to see so many of his players involved, Feigen adds. Australia’s Jock Landale and Canada’s Dillon Brooks will both participate in the FIBA World Cup. “If we were in a position to have more control, it would be a very player-by-player thing,” Stone said. “This summer, I’m really happy for our guys. They’re at points in their careers the additional reps are very valuable. … I can see where teams have concerns. In our case this summer, we’re comfortable, and we’re encouraging those guys not just to play but to play great and come back as better players.”
- Another Rockets player getting international experience is center Alperen Sengun, who is on Turkey’s roster for an Olympics pre-qualifying tournament that begins Saturday, per Cesare Milanti of Eurohoops. The Turkish team will face Bulgaria, Iceland and Ukraine.
- A survey conducted by Kelly Iko of The Athletic finds that fans are optimistic about the Rockets’ chances to improve and are expecting a breakout season from Jabari Smith Jr.
Wow
I’ve been telling you since he got drafted. Jalen is for real. Just needs a few yrs. Geniuses here are so freakin lost. May e you will listen to Grant ……
Uh, no. He’s awful. He has pure talent sure, but no basketball IQ at this point. Actually casuals mostly likely this dude, but those who know Ball really know Jalem Green is trash.
Rockets have top tier young stars, tremendous young talents
My prediction next 3 seasons
35 wins
33 wins
30 wins
Their own picks have been traded away
Rockets are not the better team than 8th seed Wolves
Are the Rockets better than 13th seed Blazers? Let’s wait and see
Heat have no centerpiece or a young all star to acquire Lillard
@XoXoRainMan – Anyone who says, “those who know ball,” immediately looses any and all credibility. Like you’re some professional working in a team’s front office or something. Do yourself a favor and just stop.
Jalen Green is a walking bucket, the young man is extremely talented offensively. Now, with Udoka as his head coach, he’ll be pressed to be more of an all-around player, and that will only be a positive for Green to help evolve his game.
He’s young and immature from an experience standpoint, but he’s only going to continue growing. VanVleet can also help both Green and Jabari Smith continue to grow their games and nature on and off the court, and with Sengun improving as well, Houston has a very talented up and coming core that’s definitely going to be exciting to watch.
Houston will be a playoff team in 2024. Udoka was a tremendous choice for HC.