Rockets' Tari Eason And Jabari Smith Jr. Named To NBA All-Rookie Second Team

The Houston Rockets are represented well by Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr., each named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

HOUSTON — Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. fell short of Rookie of the Year honors, but their first season did not end without an award. 

The NBA announced Monday afternoon that Houston Rockets' rookie prospects Eason and Smith were named to the NBA's All-Rookie Second Team selection. 

Eason played a vital role in contributing to the Rockets' production off the bench during all 82 games. He finished his first season averaging 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 21.5 minutes.

Eason's best performance came on Feb. 1, when he led the Rockets to a 112-106 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He registered a career-high 20 points and 13 rebounds in the win — a dozen of his boards came on the offensive glass.

Smith, whose rookie season started off a little rocky, played 79 games and averaged 12.8 points on 40.8 percent shooting from the field and 7.2 rebounds.

Smith began to find his niche following the All-Star break, where he averaged 16.0 points on 47.2 percent shooting from the field, 7.7 rebounds and a block over the last 20 games. He credited former coach Stephen Silas' teachings for his late-season emergence.

"He just keeps trusting you," Smith said. "He doesn't lose hope. He knows what I can do and knows my abilities. He never tells me I shot a bad shot, and it always puts confidence in me. He just keeps teaching me, and he knows I am learning. He has been with some of the greats. And I keep learning from him."

Eason and Smith marked the third time in franchise history the Rockets had a pair of teammates make All-Rookie in the same season. Michael Dickerson and Cuttino Mobley became the first pairing in 1999, followed by Carl Landry and Luis Scola in 2008.

Houston now has four players named to an All-Rookie team over the past three seasons. Jalen Green earned First Team honors in 2021-22 and Jae’Sean Tate was selected First Team in 2020-21.

Eason and Smith were joined by Detroit Pistons Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey, as well as Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs.

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