Houston Rockets complete preliminary meeting with Oregon prospect N’Faly Dante

The Houston Rockets have held preliminary meetings with a handful of prospects, including Jamal Shead of the University of Houston. However, the Rockets are also interested in other players they could target in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Rockets also met with big man N’Faly Dante, a senior from Oregon. Dante enters the draft as one of the most underrated big men. As a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 member, Dante averaged a career-high 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 21 games.

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

In addition to Dante and Shead, the Rockets also held workouts with Isaiah Stevens (Colorado State) and Tyler Thomas (Hofstra). As the latest prospect to learn and develop under coach Kelvin Sampson, Shead has established himself as one of the top guards entering the 2024 NBA Draft.

During his final year in Houston, he averaged 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.5 blocks. In addition to the Rockets, the former Cougars starting point guard participated in several pre-draft workouts, including those with the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs.

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