Rockets 'Lightning-Quick' SG Jalen Green Due for Big Breakout Year

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green is one of eight players to average 22 points or more during their age-20 season or younger.

Jeremy Brener | Sep 14, 2023

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Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets shooting guard Jalen Green is expected to take a major leap in his third NBA season.

As one of eight players to average 22 points or more during their age-20 season or younger, Green's scoring potential is off the charts. It's also part of the reason why CBS Sports ranked Green at No. 89 in its top-100 player rankings.

"He is lightning-quick, an explosive leaper who can get to the rim with ease, already a high-level ball-handler and flashed some improved passing chops last season. He has also been derided as an inefficient chucker who doesn't play defense or help his team win," CBS Sports writes.

"While it's unfair to hold him responsible for Houston's record, there are some real concerns about his efficiency and work (or lack thereof) on defense. Few players will be more interesting to watch this season than Green, who will be under the tutelage of new head coach Ime Udoka and playing alongside veterans for the first time in his career."

Christian Wood Jalen Green — Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

One can argue that Green's potential was held back last season, as he was practically forced to play point guard due to lack of depth. Now that Green has a point guard in offseason free agent signee Fred VanVleet, his ceiling should continue to rise at shooting guard, his natural position.

With VanVleet and coach Udoka planning on highlighting his strengths, Green could be due for a jump up this list in a year's time.

Green is set to begin training camp with the rest of the Rockets on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Published Sep 14, 2023

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.