Houston Rockets sign former Oregon Ducks Big Man N’Faly Dante

The Houston Rockets have signed former Oregon Ducks big man N’Faly Dante, who went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. Inside the Rockets confirmed Dante’s signing – ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has was the first to report it.

Dante entered the draft as one of the most underrated players. A two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection, Dante averaged 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 21 games.

The Ducks finished the 2023-24 season with a 24-12 record, with Dante being the team’s leading rebounder and scorer. Over his last two seasons, the 6-foot-11 prospect averaged 15.0 points and 8.7 rebounds.

Dante will sign a two-way deal with the Rockets, which will allow him to play the majority of his rookie year with Houston’s G League team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Reed Sheppard was the Rockets’ only pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Houston took the former Kentucky prospect with the No. 3 overall pick. After the first round, general manager Rafael Stone noted that Sheppard could also spend time with the Vipers.

“I love the G League,” Stone said. “If it makes sense for him to play in the G League, then he’ll play in the G League. But if he beats other players and plays in the NBA, that will be great too. The G League is way better than college basketball. It is an important part of our development program for all our players. It doesn’t matter where you get drafted. »

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