As expected, 2023-24 training camp for the Rockets opened Tuesday at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It was Houston’s first official practice with new head coach Ime Udoka and featured newly signed veterans such as Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, along with rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore.
Reporters in attendance were able to view approximately 10 minutes of scrimmage activity at the end of practice. Big men Jock Landale (sprained ankle rehab) and Alperen Sengun (individual training) did not fully participate, but nearly all other regulars played.
Buy Rockets TicketsFollowing the scrimmage, Udoka, Jabari Smith Jr., and Aaron Holiday each took a handful of interview questions from reporters.
Here’s a compilation of video highlights and interview quotes from Tuesday’s training camp activity at McNeese State. Our Brian Barefield is on the scene in Lake Charles and will have additional news coverage for Rockets Wire in the hours and days ahead.
Tuesday’s Rockets training camp footage
Jabari Smith Jr. catching bodies on the first day of camp. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/U1uWzQlkFj
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 3, 2023
Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate showing off his defensive skills against guard Fred VanVleet at the end of the team scrimmage on day one of training camp. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire @o_tate_ pic.twitter.com/1VRaKJhyP1
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 3, 2023
The Rockets backcourt chemistry already appears strong.
Fred VanVleet with a dime to Jalen Green pic.twitter.com/SYLFKBJrML
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) October 3, 2023
Big time block on Tari Eason dunk attempt pic.twitter.com/ee0fB5Aanw
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 3, 2023
Rockets training camp day 1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/ojP1Oj1iEK
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) October 3, 2023
Rockets first practice at McNeese pic.twitter.com/NpEqZrCUmF
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 3, 2023
Jermaine Samuels meets Tari Eason at the rim pic.twitter.com/CQ1jyu8jxZ
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 3, 2023
Houston Rockets rookie forward Cam Whitmore found a comfortable spot on the court during the scrimmage on the first day of Rockets training camp. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/YuG8iUUUtY
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 3, 2023
Post-practice interviews and analysis
Btw, the Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) branding begins today for Rockets and Astros coverage.
SCHN will host Astros pregame and postgame coverage for the playoffs.
First live Rockets game will be the preseason opener on Oct. 10. pic.twitter.com/lGbioaMDby
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) October 3, 2023
I asked Jabari if there is anything part of his game he is focusing on during training camp. pic.twitter.com/nQADCdV548
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 3, 2023
FWIW, I asked and Alperen Sengun is not hurt, he just happened to be off to the side during the little bit of #Rockets scrimmage time media got access to.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 3, 2023
Ime Udoka said he wrote 3 numbers on the board today for the Rockets:
17, 20, 22.
Houston wins in the last three seasons. Said it’s clear the franchise’s change needs to start this year. pic.twitter.com/wiVbDR7yuk
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) October 3, 2023
Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. said he feels much more comfortable in his second NBA training camp than his first. Said he was “googly eyed” as a rookie but this year it was more of a back to business vibe.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) October 3, 2023
It was a lot of communication on offense and defense. Specifically Fred VanVleet directing the offense
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 3, 2023
Asked Ime Udoka about the day one camp concepts:
"We kept it simple. Basically going backwards. A lot of switching on/off ball and then we'll tweak it. Throwing out the basics to get the fundamentals down then we'll get into the schematics later."
📺 https://t.co/AJu2iEYkIr pic.twitter.com/Cn2Bxb9ODi
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 3, 2023
From what we were able to catch of Day 1 scrimmage, Jabari Smith Jr. and Jae’Sean Tate looked really sharp. Smith appears more comfortable and aggressive with the ball in his hands, and Tate was imposing his will on both ends of the floor.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 3, 2023
Houston Rockets HC Ime Udoka said he wrote 3 numbers on the board today for the Rockets during film study:
17, 19, 22
Which is Houston’s win totals in the last three seasons. He reiterated to me that the culture of this team will change. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/qpWACKDEdZ— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 3, 2023
.@SportsVanessa caught up with @FredVanVleet after the first day of training camp!
Catch Fred's @HoustonRockets debut on Oct. 10 on Space City Home Network, as the squad open the preseason against the Pacers! pic.twitter.com/M9Z7AgsWqE
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 3, 2023
