Former Rockets star Steve Francis is now owner of the Houston Push, a new minor league hoops organization within The Basketball League. The team’s debut season will begin on April 8, 2021.
The Push will be led by Moochie Norris as GM and head coach. Norris played alongside Francis with the Rockets in the early 2000s.
“This is something that we started from the ground up, and we want to see it progress,” said Francis, who noted that he wants to leave a legacy in Houston. “A lot of players don’t get an opportunity to play now, especially with overseas basketball being jammed up [due to COVID-19].”
The league is currently scheduled to have 35 teams, with the Push competing in the Southwest Division of the Central Conference.
Moochie Norris (left) & Steve Francis at news conf announcing Steve’s ownership of the Houston Push in The Basketball League, a new professional minor league basketball team. Moochie is GM/head coach. Open tryouts Saturday. Team will work closely with the Steve Francis Foundation pic.twitter.com/8MYr7K2ZoV
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 21, 2021
“It’s an opportunity for guys to pursue their pro careers, because unfortunately there’s not enough opportunities out there for them, and this league is a great vehicle to give them an opportunity to grow and get involved with the community,” Norris said.
Tryouts for the Push will take place Saturday, Jan. 23 in Houston, with other events scheduled for the weeks ahead in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Further tryout details are available here.
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Owner, NBA All-Star Steve Francis and NBA vet Coach Moochie Norris introduce the @HoustonPush, the newest “franchise” of TBL. Working with The Steve Francis Foundation, Houston Push will empower its Houstonian roster and find ways to give back to the community. pic.twitter.com/FVqeZ7XFrr
— Apollo Media (@ApolloHOU) January 21, 2021