Inside The Rockets

College Star Gives Rockets PG Depth in Training Camp

The Houston Rockets have called upon a March Madness hero for training camp.

Jeremy Brener

Oct 8, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Markquis Nowell (24) drives against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Rogers Arena. Raptors won 112-99. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Oct 8, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Markquis Nowell (24) drives against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Rogers Arena. Raptors won 112-99. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images / Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets are getting some more bodies into training camp, signing point guard Markquis Nowell.

Nowell, 24, signed a two-way deal with the Toronto Raptors a year ago after going undrafted and made his NBA debut with them on Nov. 15 of last year, but that was the only time he played with the team before the Raptors cut him in March.

Nowell joined Raptors 905, their G League affiliate, and stayed with them until earlier this week when his G League rights were traded to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. That paved the way for the Rockets to bring him aboard for training camp.

Nowell is perhaps best known for what he was able to do in his senior season with the Kansas State Wildcats. In the team's Sweet 16 win against the Michigan State Spartans, Nowell scored 20 points and dished out an NCAA Tournament single-game record 19 assists as the Wildcats pulled out an overtime victory. Nowell added 30 points and 12 assists in the Elite 8 contest, but the Wildcats lost to the Florida Atlantic Owls.

Nowell's 5-8 frame is simply too small to play meaningful minutes in the NBA. He has great court vision and basketball IQ, but his size doesn't translate on the next level. He brings value to the team, but it likely won't happen on the court with the Rockets.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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