After undergoing leg surgery in early March, the Houston Rockets announced a four-month recovery timetable for Tari Eason, and general manager Rafael Stone said the expectation was for Eason to be fully available by training camp in October.
It turns out he’s perhaps ahead of schedule.
Per Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Houston’s third-year forward will play in the NBA’s 2024 summer league, which begins July 12 in Las Vegas. Eason will join second-year guard Cam Whitmore and rookie guard Reed Sheppard (the No. 3 overall draft pick in the 2024 first round) on what looks to be a strong squad for the summer Rockets.
For the most part, established NBA players entering their third season or beyond don’t play in summer league. But, with Eason missing 60 of Houston’s 82 games last regular season due to injury, it seems he’s ready to shake off the rust and get some game action in.
A first-round pick in the 2022 NBA draft, Eason averaged 9.8 points (46.6% FG, 36.0% on 3-pointers) and 7.0 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game last season. He projects to be one of Houston’s best and most versatile defenders, and he’s a very active rebounder, as well.
Rockets forwards Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason plan to play in Summer League for the franchise next month in Vegas, sources tell @TheAthletic.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) June 28, 2024
