2 Studs, 1 dud from Rockets' Summer League tournament

3. Stud- Tari Eason

Rockets forward Tari Eason showed a lot of promise in his rookie season, etching himself in the Rockets’ recent history books. Eason joined former Rockets forward KJ Martin as the only Rockets players to play in all 82 games since 2018-19, which is when P.J. Tucker did it last.

All in all, Eason was one of only 10 players in the league to have played every game of the 2022-23 season. And he was the only rookie on the list. 

Eason decided to suit up for the Rockets' Summer League roster and showed out. The second-year forward was literally everywhere and was a stat sheet stuffer, posting averages of 23 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal. As for his shooting splits, Eason went 48.7 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from long-range (let’s forget about the free throw shooting).

Eason was oozing with confidence, as he was putting defenders on posters, drawing the attention of LeBron James.

Eason was also visibly talking trash to opponents throughout the tournament.

So much, in fact, that the former LSU forward was even called for a technical foul for barking at an opponent. Eason’s scoring display was largely overshadowed by Jabari Smith Jr.’s unimaginable performances but he quietly finished third in scoring and fifth in blocks.

Unsurprisingly the Rockets determined that he was simply too good to be out there, and shut him down after just two games.

All in all, Rockets newly-hired coach Ime Udoka, who was front row at each game, has to like what he saw from his young forward.