Houston Rockets Impressed With Oregon Basketball's N'Faly Dante's Athleticism, Length

Former Oregon Ducks basketball star N'Faly Dante and the Houston Rockets suffered a loss to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA 2k25 Summer League. Houston Rockets coach is impressed with Dante's athleticism and length.

Mar 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks center N'Faly Dante (1) dunks the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Meechie Johnson (5) during the second half in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

LAS VEGAS - Former Oregon Ducks men's basketball's N'Faly Dante and the Houston Rockets fell to the Detroit Pistons 87-73 on Monday in day three of the NBA 2k25 Summer League.  

"We just didn't seem as connected this game," said Rockets summer league coach Garrett Jackson.  

Dante, who started for the third time with the Rockets, scored four points and grabbed three rebounds in 11.4 minutes on Monday.  

.@reed_sheppard 🤝 Reece Beekman@HoustonRockets | #NBA2KSummerLeague pic.twitter.com/J3fv4PE5Nf

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"I thought he was solid," said Rockets coach Garrett Jackson on Dante. "We went zone, which is something we hadn't done before. I like him in the zone. I like his length. I like his athleticism. Hopefully, that carries over into the next game."  

Through the first two games of the NBA 2k25 Summer League, the Houston Rockets had primarily relied on a man-to-man defense. However, facing an explosive offense from the Detroit Pistons, the Rockets were forced to adjust. Pistons small forward Daniss Jenkins scored a game-high 26 points, while power forward Bobi Klintman added 18 points. The Rockets switched to zone defense to contain the Pistons' offense. Although the adjustment provided some aid, it was not enough to stop Detroit's Scoring.  

Jul 14, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reece Beekman (3) grabs a rebound against the Washington Wizards during the third quarter at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Despite Jackson liking Dante in the zone, he still played limited minutes. Even though he has started all three games for Houston, Dante has seen limited playing time, averaging around 11-12 minutes per game. This can be partly attributed to Houston's talent at the center position.  

Orlando Robinson, a 6-foot-10 center from Fresno State, has been a force for the Rockets in the summer league. On Monday against the Pistons, Robinson scored 13 points while also adding eight rebounds, three assists, and a block in 28.2 minutes.  

Jul 14, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Houston Rockets center Orlando Robinson (59) shoots against Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (12) during the fourth quarter at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Robinson is Dante's main competition for the primary center spot on the Rockets' roster. While Dante has started and been productive in his limited time, Robinson's increased playing time and strong performance solidify his case for more minutes. This competition creates a healthy yet competitive environment for both young big men.  

"I like competition," said Jackson postgame. "I like guys having to earn their minutes, work for it, and prove it because I think that will only make us better as a team."  

Jul 13, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Fans walk outside the Thomas & Mack Center before the start of an NBA Summer League game between the Portland Trailblazers and the San Antonio Spurs. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Dante and the Rockets have two days off after playing back-to-back games on Sunday and Monday. They'll take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, July 18th at 8:00 p.m. P.T. Fans can catch the game live on ESPN.