By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Usman Garuba discussed joining the Houston Rockets, his first appearance in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League, and more.
Garuba, 19, flew in less than 24 hours before Thursday’s fixture opposite the Toronto Raptors. His side lost, 92-76. He ended up going 0/4 from the field but grabbed six rebounds in about 12 minutes.
“I was very, very tired, but I wanted to play,” he noted, “I missed some games. I know there are not so many games left. I wanted to be able to get to know my teammates on the court.”
The Spanish big represented his country in the recent Tokyo Games. He notched 1.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest. His summer also included getting drafted by the Rockets with the 23rd overall pick.
“It’s amazing,” he said regarding his NBA move, “Being able to be here is a great feeling for me. And I am very happy.”
“I am very excited,” he added.
Only a couple of days after his buyout with Real Madrid was completed and following the trip via London to Las Vegas, Garuba made his Rockets debut.
“To be honest, I did not adjust well,” he confessed summing up his first appearance, “I am still with the jet lag and very tired after the flight and all that stuff. It was great to be able to be on the court with my teammates.”
The Rockets also selected Alperen Sengun in the recent draft. The Turkish big has been on a roll since the beginning of the Las Vegas tournament and logged nine points alongside ten rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block in the loss to the Raptors.
“We talked,” said Garuba replying to a question about interacting with Sengun, “After we were drafted by the Rockets, we talked.”
Up next, some well-deserved rest. The next Summer League match comes up on Sunday versus the Orlando Magic.