HOUSTON — Rockets draftees Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, and TyTy Washington each traveled to their new NBA home Friday and shared their initial impressions upon visiting Toyota Center for the first time.
The former Auburn forward, LSU forward, and Kentucky guard all made their way from Barclays Center in Brooklyn — where the 2022 NBA draft took place Thursday — to Houston less than 24 hours later.
It was a whirlwind day, but each of Houston’s prized rookie prospects was clearly thrilled by the experience.
“It made me happy,” Smith said of the support shown by the Rockets and their fans after his selection. “It puts a smile on my face.”
The focus will turn to the basketball court imminently, since the Rockets are gearing up for the start of 2022 NBA summer league play on July 7. Going into that process, here’s what each of the new prospects — along with general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Stephen Silas — had to say at the starting point of their NBA journeys.
the guys are here.
THE GUYS ARE HERE. pic.twitter.com/hhiUkSysWe
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 24, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and TyTy Washington join Rafael Stone and Stephen Silas for their opening press conference. pic.twitter.com/3pFOkQQV25
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) June 24, 2022
Rafael Stone says he can’t compare Jabari Smith to a current NBA player, very unique skillset
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 24, 2022
Rafael Stone on Tari Eason: “His motor is exceptional.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 24, 2022
Jabari Smith had a huge smile when told of the roar by #Rockets fans at the draft party when Chet was announced at 2
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 24, 2022
Jabari Smith on #Rockets fans reactions to him getting drafted by Houston: “Made me happy. Put a smile on my face.”
Channeling his inner Al-P.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) June 24, 2022
Jabari Smith said he doesn’t care if he’s picked 3rd or #52. “Of course I’ll use it as a chip on my shoulder.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 24, 2022
Stephen Silas: “We’re gonna be long, athletic, versatile on both ends of the floor. Last night I was already on my laptop thinking of things we could do defensively.” #Rockets
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) June 24, 2022
Stephen Silas has been saying he wants to improve the defense “so Rafael (Stone) decided to draft three really good defensive players, but they’re also two-way players.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 24, 2022
When Jabari was asked who he models his game after, he said he doesn’t want to single out any players but mentioned that Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum and Bam Adebayo are among the players he watches
— Adam Abramson (@Adam_Abramson1) June 24, 2022
Tari Eason: “ From high school even before then I wasn’t heavily recruited. I always carried that chip on my shoulder” The Rockets are full of players who have something to prove.
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) June 24, 2022
TyTy Washington on Tari Eason: “No one can stop Tari from getting to the rim…He’s just a hooper and wants to go out there and win.”
On Jabari Smith: “Everybody knows who Jabari he is…He’s gonna talk trash and play hard on both sides of the ball.”
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) June 24, 2022
Jabari said when he played with TyTy Washington in camps before college, he noticed that winning was his priority. “He was always about winning. That kind of stuck with me. That’s why we gelled so quickly.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 24, 2022
TyTy Washington left his Grizzlies hat in his hotel room in NYC. He said whoever goes in there next can become a big Memphis fan ????
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) June 24, 2022
.@jabarismithjr on when he heard Rockets fans were thrilled he’s here: “It means a lot. It makes me feel like I’m wanted..They give me that love. I’m going to give them the same love back..Put a smile on my face.” pic.twitter.com/eThdVAqLEN
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 24, 2022
.@jabarismithjr says he was alays raised with a mentality of doing whatever it takes to win. “As you start playing against pros, everybody can score. You’ve got to do things to separate yourself and do things that impact winning.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 24, 2022
On playing for the #Rockets
Jabari Smith: “It’s good to have brothers you can grow with.”
Tari Eason: “The team is young, they like to get up and down. It fits my style well.”
TyTy Washington: “It’s going to be fun.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 24, 2022
Tari Eason said he “had an idea” that he might end up with the #Rockets. They showed interest in him pre-draft.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 24, 2022
The big news from today’s #Rockets news conference, Jabari Smith Sr says he’s dropped 40 pounds and he’s going one-on-one with his son, @jabarismithjr Aug 1. Dad played 4 years in the NBA: “It’s gonna happen. I’m gonna win..I’m very confident I can beat him by one point.” pic.twitter.com/2AnOeaqLvI
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 24, 2022
Agent Wallace Prather, who represented Jabari Smith Sr and now reps his son, @jabarismithjr, on the Aug 1 showdown between the two. Dad played four years in the NBA: “I’m not pulling for either one, but I think his dad’s probably gonna win though. He’s older more experienced.” pic.twitter.com/g0zg0XCr4G
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 24, 2022
Jabari Smith Sr, who played 4 years in the NBA, acknowledges he’s been emotional today watching his son, @jabarismithjr, officially join the #Rockets: “I cried one time, but I didn’t let anybody see it.. Good thing. I didn’t cry last night at all, but today was a little special.” pic.twitter.com/ruZm5CXpPP
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 24, 2022
Asked Jabari Smith Sr. what it means to become one of the NBA’s father-son duos: “It’s gratifying. He has his own type of mental drive. He understands that I played, but he wants to make his own name.” pic.twitter.com/ahdf658FJj
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) June 24, 2022
Jabari Smith Sr,who played 4 years in the NBA,on his son, @jabarismithjr, officially following in his footsteps: “In a sense I want to say he surpassed my footsteps.I was the 45th pick.He was the 3rd. It’s gratifying..to watch him take on the next step of his life-it’s emotional” pic.twitter.com/aFfqGBbt6i
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 24, 2022
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