In an exclusive chat with courtside reporter Vanessa Richardson of AT&T SportsNet Southwest, Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone and new head coach Ime Udoka each opened up regarding the process that led to their recent 2023 NBA draft moves.
Houston emerged from that draft with Overtime Elite guard Amen Thompson (drafted at No. 4 overall in the first round) and Villanova forward Cam Whitmore, who unexpectedly slid to No. 20.
As part of an extended conversation, both Stone and Udoka peeled back the curtain behind theit pre-draft scouting and analysis process, which ultimately culminated in two more blue-chip prospects being added to the fold as Houston transitions its rebuild to phase two.
Read on for excerpts, summaries, and videos of select interview portions, and check out the complete version when Rockets All Access airs throughout the week on AT&T SportsNet (schedule).
As for Thompson and Whitmore, they’re each now under contract with the organization, and they will each wear a Rockets jersey for the first time when 2023 summer league play starts on Friday, July 7.