Tag: Eron Gordon

Vipers’ Eron Gordon, Trhae Mitchell face off vs. Rockets alum Bruno Caboclo in Capitanes’ Mexico City home opener

It was an unofficial Rio Grande Valley reunion as Houston’s G League squad traveled to Mexico City’s first-ever home opener south of the border.

The G League now plays games south of the Rio Grande with Mexico City’s Capitanes hosting the Houston Rockets‘ G League affiliate for their first home game since joining the G League. Last season the franchise played in the Dallas-Fort Worth area due to the pandemic.

The contest was something of a reunion for Rockets past and present. Former Houston forward Bruno Caboclo — now signed to Mexico City’s roster — facing Rio Grande Valley Vipers Eron Gordon and Trhae Mitchell.

The Rockets Wire caught up with all three to talk about their experience playing in Mexico, the unique qualities of playing in the high-altitude city, and their impressions about the historic event for our neighbors south of the border.

Traded to the Rockets from the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020, Caboclo found himself waived by Houston less than a year later, spending a season overseas playing for French club Limoges in the LNB Pro-A league and for the Brazilian National Team.

Houston’s G League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley, announces 2022-23 roster

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers, NBA G League affiliate of the #Rockets, have announced their official roster for the 2022-23 season. Here’s a rundown of the squad.

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers, official NBA G League affiliate organization of the Houston Rockets, have finalized their roster for the upcoming 2022-23 season. The full schedule for the Vipers, defending G League champions, is available here and begins with a road opener at Mexico City on Sunday, Nov. 6.

Excluding players who are sent down from the parent NBA club, players at RGV do not have NBA contracts and are thus eligible to be signed by any NBA team. However, because the Vipers are led by coaches and systems affiliated with the Rockets, Houston will have a much closer look and more intimate knowledge regarding whether a given prospect is potentially a good fit with the parent club.

The Vipers’ roster includes returning players Trhae Mitchell, Kahlil Whitney, and Ray Spalding. RGV’s roster now stands at 12 players, including two-way players Darius Days and Trevor Hudgins. Unlike most players, Days and Hudgins are under contract with the Rockets, which prevents them from being signed by another team.

Scroll on for an biographical look (in alphabetical order) at the initial Vipers roster, which features multiple players with NBA experience and also includes rookie guard Eron Gordon — yes, the younger brother of veteran Rockets guard Eric Gordon.

Interviews: Rockets practice in Houston, set 2022 summer league goals

Check out summer league practice highlights and interviews with Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, TyTy Washington, Daishen Nix, Josh Christopher, Eron Gordon, Stephen Silas, and Rick Higgins.

HOUSTON — Less than two weeks ago, Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr., LSU forward Tari Eason, and Kentucky guard TyTy Washington didn’t know where their professional home would be. Now, after all were selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, they’re headed to Las Vegas to headline the 2022 summer league squad for the Rockets.

The newly drafted rookies are the obvious headliners, as evidenced by their ceremonial activity later that same day of throwing out the first pitch at Tuesday night’s Astros game. But there are accomplished second-year players on the roster, as well, in guard Josh Christopher and forward Usman Garuba. The summer Rockets will also feature third-year forward Anthony Lamb and a handful of undrafted rookies hoping to earn training camp invites from Houston or any other NBA team.

It all starts Thursday night in Las Vegas (schedule), when Smith leads the summer Rockets versus No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero and the summer Magic. Until then, here’s what the players had to say Tuesday at the Toyota Center practice court in Houston, along with insights from Stephen Silas and summer league head coach Rick Higgins.

Scroll on for highlights of Tuesday’s practice, as well.