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The Rockets preseason opener is at home vs. San Antonio on Sunday, Oct. 2. Houston will also host Toronto on Friday, Oct. 7 before wrapping up the preseason with games at Miami on Monday, Oct. 10 and at Indiana on Friday, Oct. 14. The Rockets will open the regular season at Atlanta on Wednesday, Oct. 19 with their first home game vs. Memphis on Friday, Oct. 21.

The Houston Rockets today announced their training camp roster in preparation for the 2022-23 season:

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Rockets Announce Training Camp Roster

The Fertitta Family, Houston Rockets, the Clutch City Foundation, Memorial Hermann Health System, and the City of Houston will unveil renovations at Moody Community Center. In addition to overhauls of both an indoor and outdoor basketball court, the project includes a refurbished reading and learning center complete with computers, STEAM equipment, and gaming systems. The refurbishment of the basketball courts is an extension of Memorial Hermann’s mission to improve the health and well-being of all Houstonians, and part of the system’s vision to create healthier communities, now and for generations to come.

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Moody Park Renovations

CHICAGO — Clay Allen, the Rockets’ general counsel and the franchise’s representative in the NBA draft lottery drawing room Tuesday, saw the numbers and immediately knew the Rockets had landed the third pick.

Long before general manager Rafael Stone would keep his poker face through the made-for-television unveiling, Allen had watched the pingpong balls emerge from the hopper with the pressure building with each result.

The Orlando Magic had won the right to pick first. The Rockets held the first three numbers to emerge from the machine — 14, 1 and 13 — but not the fourth — 6. Magic chief communications officer Joel Glass could not quite see the 6 on the fourth pingpong ball before Allen turned and said, “I think that’s you.”

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Drawing room drama: Behind the scenes with the Rockets at the NBA draft lottery

HOUSTON – Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate announced his Jae'Sean Tate BUILT Scholarship fund. The scholarship is available for minority and BIPOC service workers in the coffee and food industry who have had to juggle school and work while facing even more challenges throughout the pandemic.

“Education is deeply important to me,” said Tate.  “I was a four-year student-athlete at Ohio State University and graduating with a college degree is one of my proudest accomplishments to date.  I’ve created a scholarship with Bold.org that will support minority students who are balancing work and education.”

To help raise awareness for his NBA All-Rookie campaign last season, Tate’s love for coffee led him to partner with Houston-based Greenway Coffee to develop his own blend.  He became the fourth Rocket dating back to 1985-86 to have earned All-Rookie First Team honors.

Those interested in supporting Tate’s scholarship fund may visit his page on Bold.org.  Each grant is for $8,000, which means Tate will be able to select more winners as the value of the scholarship fund increases.

Applicants for Tate’s scholarship fund may follow the “Apply Now” option on his Bold.org page and record a one minute essay or submit a one page essay telling their background while explaining why they are a good candidate.  Winners will be announced on May 8, 2022.

Bold.org is the largest independent scholarship provider in the country and is committed to eliminating student debt and democratizing philanthropy. Founded in November 2019, Bold.org embarks on a journey to relieve the country's soaring $1.8 trillion student debt crisis. Bold.org provides a platform for any person or company to create personalized scholarships, fellowships or grants. The organization creates an innovative and philanthropic solution to combat the student debt crisis, which has tremendously impacted 44 million Americans to date.

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Jae’Sean Tate Starts Grant for Minorities in the Coffee & Food Service Industry

HOUSTON – During tonight’s 2021 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets selected guard Jalen Green with the second overall pick. Additionally, the Rockets acquired forward/center Alperen Sengun [al-pah-ron shen-gün], forward Usman Garuba [oose-mon gah-ROO-bah], and guard Josh Christopher.  All four players were chosen within the first 24 picks of the draft.

Green (6-6, 178), who turned 19 years old on Feb. 9, was the first player to sign with NBA G League Ignite, a team dedicated to the development and mentorship of top young prospects in preparation for the NBA Draft.  In 15 G League games last season, he averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.53 steals, and 2.1 3-pointers made.  Green tallied 30 points, 7 assists, 5 boards, and 3 steals in the Ignite’s lone playoff game vs. Raptors 905.

As a senior at California’s Prolific Prep in 2019-20, Green averaged 31.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists.  He was ranked as the No. 1 high school prospect in the Class of 2020 by ESPN and was a McDonald’s All-American.

Green won gold medals with USA Basketball at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup, and 2017 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.

The only other time the Rockets drafted a player second overall was in 1970 with the selection of Rudy Tomjanovich.  Houston also acquired the draft rights to Steve Francis, who was the No. 2 overall pick by Vancouver in the 1999 NBA Draft.  Including Francis, the second overall pick has produced 16 Rookie of the Year winners, most recently Ja Morant in 2019-20 and Kevin Durant in 2007-08.

Sengun (6-9, 235), was the 16th overall pick by Oklahoma City before his rights were acquired by Houston in exchange for two future first round picks owed to the Rockets via Detroit and Washington.  The native of Turkey recently turned 19 years old and was the Turkish Super League MVP this past season for his club, Besiktas.

In 34 league games, Sengun averaged 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals while shooting 62.6% from the floor and 81.2% from the foul line.  He also averaged 23.0 ppg on 71.0% shooting in three FIBA Europe Cup games and played for the Turkish national team during Olympic qualifying this summer.

Garuba (6-8, 220), was the 23rd overall pick by Houston and is currently playing for Spain in the Olympics.  The 19-year-old spent last season with Real Madrid in Spain’s Liga ACB and was the recipient of the ACB Best Young Player award along with being named the EuroLeague Rising Star, recognizing the top player under the age of 22.

Including their run to the ACB championship game, Real Madrid posted a 38-5 mark, with Garuba averaging 5.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game.  During the EuroLeague playoffs, he became the youngest player to record a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds vs. Anadolu Efes.

Christopher (6-5, 215) was the 24th overall pick by Houston following his freshman season at Arizona State.  The 19-year-old appeared in 15 games for the Sun Devils, averaging 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.5 steals.  He scored 28 points in his second career game vs. Villanova and posted 22 points with 11 rebounds against UCLA, which went onto play in the Final Four.  A McDonald’s All-American, Christopher averaged 29.4 points and 11.2 rebounds as a senior at Mayfair High School in California.

All four of the players Houston acquired in the draft will be 19 years old at the start of the 2021-22 NBA season.

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Rockets Acquire Four Players in 2021 NBA Draft

HOUSTON – Houston Rockets Chief Executive Officer Thaddeus “Tad” Brown today announced he will transition from his role at the end of the season.  Brown originally joined the Rockets as their Vice President of Corporate Development for the 2002-03 season and was named CEO in October of 2006.

“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to lead the Houston Rockets and Clutch City Sports and Entertainment,” said Brown.  “The executives, City leaders, partners and staff I’ve been blessed to work with over the past 20 years represent the best our industry and region have to offer, and all have been critical to building the world class organization that fans and partners on a global scale proudly support today.

“When Tilman and I first started discussing a succession plan, it was very emotional for us both as we’ve known each other since I first moved to Houston.  We built a friendship when Tilman and Paige were fans and corporate partners.  We’ve seen each other’s kids grow up; and ultimately established a very successful business partnership when he purchased the team.  I can’t thank Tilman enough for his support and friendship, and for the confidence and trust he placed in me.   I am excited to see what the future holds for the franchise.  Led by Tilman, Patrick and the Fertitta family, the Rockets organization is in great hands for generations to come.

“I’m also excited to see what the future holds for me and my family as we look to our next adventure.  The Houston Rockets and Toyota Center personnel - past and present - have become an important part of our lives and will always live in our hearts.  They’re our family forever.  What a privilege it has been to be a small part of Clutch City’s history, truly the experience of a lifetime.”

“On behalf of the entire Rockets organization and my family, I want to thank Tad for his stellar and tireless service to the Houston Rockets franchise,” said Rockets owner Tilman J. Fertitta. “I could not have asked for a better leader to work with since becoming owner.

“Tad has played an integral role in the success of our franchise both on and off the court. I have known Tad since his arrival in Houston 19 years ago and want to sincerely thank him for his friendship and for building a tremendous organization throughout the Rockets and Toyota Center.

I wish Tad, his wife Janice, and his daughters, Kennedy, Addison, Nikki and Chloe all the best in their next chapter.”

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Rockets Tad Brown Announces Transition from Role as CEO Following End of 2020-21 Season

Every day on the bus ride to elementary school, 8-year-old Jae’Sean Tate would clasp his hands, tuck his head down, and pray to God: Please don’t let me get in trouble today. Please let me be good today.After arriving, he’d calmly walk into his classroom, find a seat, and think to himself: I’m not going to get in trouble today. I’m going to be good today.And then, the anger would swell inside him, threatening to boil over. Teachers would wonder why he’d randomly start disrupting class, distracting fellow students, and throwing tantrums. He’d get in trouble so often he’d have to eat lunch with a school counselor. The principal’s office had a designated chair for him.He didn’t want to get in trouble. He wanted to be good. He wanted to be seen for what he was: a loving, hard-working, studious boy. What he wanted most, however, was to not hurt anymore. To not break down. His classmates didn’t know about the sadness that lay underneath his hardened shell. Jae’Sean didn’t want to talk to anyone about where his pain came from.The third-grader didn’t have the words to explain why he’d moved from his mother’s home in Toledo to Pickerington, Ohio, to live with his father, Jermaine, and stepmother, Jenice. He didn’t know how to describe the day his mother, Cori Key, sent him to stay with his grandmother so that she could go to Toronto with a friend to celebrate her birthday.“Don’t go,” Jae’Sean told her that day. CLICK TO READ REMAINDER OF ARTICLE ON "THE RINGER"

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The Reason Jae’Sean Tate Has Defied the Naysayers

On Wednesday, April 14, the Houston Rockets will host Pride Night. The game, which is presented by adidas in alliance with the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, will take place at Toyota Center as the Rockets take on the Indiana Pacers at 8PM.

- LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Sports + Workplace panel event with the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce: 11:30AM - Networking | 12:00PM - Panel Discussion

Join the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber and the Houston Rockets for a virtual event focused on LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Sports + Workplace. Hear from panelists from the LGBTQ+ community, who will share their experiences working in the sports industry. Learn about their individual journeys working in sports, the challenges they have faced, and the importance of bringing their full and authentic selves to the workplace.

** REGISTER FOR PANEL EVENT - TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY **[[{"fid":"66046","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"right"},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default","alignment":"right"}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-right","data-delta":"3"}}]]

- Concourse Community Activation Featuring the LGBTQ Banner Project Learn More

- In-game elements such as First Shot for charity, National Anthem and special recognitions – all from members of the LGBTQ+ community

The "H-Town" Pride Night retail collection will be available in the Team Shop at Toyota Center on the night of the game. The Rockets Team Pride Collection is currently available online here.

A Pride Night Ticket Package, including 1 ticket, 1 beverage (beer/wine/soda) and 1 commemorative t-shirt. is available starting at $25 per person.

** PURCHASE PRIDE NIGHT TICKET PACKAGE **

Learn More about COVID Health & Safety Protocols at Toyota Center including game day FAQs, mask rules and bag policies

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Rockets to Host Pride Night on April 14

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