The 2023-24 training camp for the Rockets continued Wednesday at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It marked Houston’s second practice under new coach Ime Udoka, who wants to transform the culture of a young and rebuilding team.
Post-practice interviews from McNeese State’s Legacy Center consisted of Udoka, veteran point guard Fred VanVleet and third-year center Alperen Sengun. Each day, team officials generally make a different group of players available to reporters, along with Udoka.
On Wednesday, Udoka credited veterans such as VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Jeff Green with quickly accepting a leadership role.
“It was immediate from Day 1,” Udoka told sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson of the Space City Home Network.
“Not only verbally, with helping our guys out and pulling guys aside and teaching, but it’s their work ethic, routine and professionalism. What they do every day is kind of rubbing off on the group.”
“It’s important for young guys to see that it doesn’t happen by chance. They’ve had the success they’ve had because of what they what they do on a daily basis. And so just kind of sitting back and watching them, I think they impart some of that onto our young guys.”
Scroll on for a compilation of video highlights and interview quotes from all of Wednesday’s training camp activity.