Like many players currently in Las Vegas, Jermaine Samuels is looking for an NBA job. Samuels has impressed the Houston Rockets this summer. So much so that insider Jonathan Feigan of the Houston Chronicle tweeted that Samuels is someone to watch to earn a contract with the Rockets this year.
Jermaine Samuels Jr. also in for the Rockets. I've been told he has been impressive in the summer minicamp practices. Worth watching with roster or two-way spots up from grabs.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 7, 2023
NBA Rumors: Jermaine Samuels Impressing Rockets, May Earn Contract Insider Says
Samuels has played in two games for the Rockets in Vegas thus far. Samuels scored eight points on 2 of 5 from the field, including 1 of 3 from the 3-point line in Houston’s 113-101 victory over Detroit. He also grabbed three rebounds (two offensive), doled out three assists, and recorded one steal and one block. In the two games, Samuels averages 5.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while posting a shooting slash line of .500/ .333/.800 in 15 minutes a game.
Houston is 2-0 in Las Vegas. The Rockets face Oklahoma City Thunder on July 11 and Golden State on July 13. They also will play either July 15 or 16.
Samuels is a physical player who can do a little bit of everything. While the 6-7 forward is limited offensively, he is very efficient and an outstanding rebounder on the offensive end.
Samuels went undrafted out of Villanova in 2022. Last year, he played for the Indiana Pacers G-League Fort Wayne Mad Ants, finishing third in the G-League Most Improved Player voting. The 24-year-old produced 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 32 games for the Mad Ants. He registered a 29.1% rebound percentage and a 28.3% block percentage.
Samuels is not the only Rocket having a productive summer league. Houston is 2-0 in Vegas, with victories over Detroit and Portland. Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore are also having a strong summer.
Amen Thompson exited the game with an apparent ankle injury. pic.twitter.com/h9MxRNorkw
— ESPN (@espn) July 8, 2023
2023 No. 4 pick Amen Thompson had a solid debut. The 20-year-old rookie guard suffered a Grade 2 sprain on Friday and won’t play the rest of this summer. Thompson finished with 16 points (on 6-of-13 shooting), five assists, four rebounds, four blocks, and three steals in 28 minutes against the Trail Blazers. Marc J. Spears of Andscape said Thompson is out for three to four weeks.
An MRI revealed Rockets rookie guard Amen Thompson has a Grade 2 ankle sprain and will be out 3-4 weeks, a source told @andscape @espn. Thompson will be in a boot for a week and is expected to miss the rest of summer league after suffering the injury against Portland yesterday.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 8, 2023
Houston Rockets Depth Chart
Houston spent a lot of money this summer. The Rockets have 13 players under contract for the upcoming season. Therefore, the Rockets have one or two roster spots open. Here is a look at the Rockets’ depth chart.
PG – Fred VanVleet, Thompson
SG – Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr.
SF – Dillon Brooks, Jae’Sean Tate, Cam Whitmore
PF- Smith Jr., Jeff Green, Tari Eason
C – Alperen Senguin, Jock Landale
The Rockets reportedly want to bring in a veteran combo guard who can handle both guard spots. With Trevor Hudgins (PG) and Darius Days (SF) on two-way deals, another big makes the most sense if they sign a veteran guard. They also have a two-way spot open.
