All of the 20 players on the 2021-22 training camp roster for the Rockets have fully completed their COVID-19 vaccinations, Houston general manager Rafael Stone said at Monday’s team media day.
For the NBA as a whole, previous reports have pegged the vaccination coverage among players at approximately 90 percent. While the league isn’t mandating the vaccine, it is encouraged, and restrictions are significantly reduced for players who are vaccinated.
From a basketball perspective, the biggest competitive benefit is that NBA players who are fully vaccinated will not be subject to regular COVID-19 tests this season, according to reports. As a result, it is much less likely for vaccinated players to miss time while in the league’s “health and safety protocols,” which caused significant roster disruptions last season for the Rockets and all teams across the league.
NBA players including Washington’s Bradley Beal, Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins, and Orlando’s Jonathan Isaac are among those in recent days who have indicated a reluctance to take the vaccine. But according to Stone, Houston isn’t expecting to have any such problems.
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Great news: Per Rafael Stone, #Rockets are 100% vaccinated
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) September 27, 2021
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