The 2023-24 training camp for the Rockets continued Wednesday at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It marked Houston’s second practice under new coach Ime Udoka, who wants to transform the culture of a young and rebuilding team.
Post-practice interviews from McNeese State’s Legacy Center consisted of Udoka, veteran point guard Fred VanVleet and third-year center Alperen Sengun. Each day, team officials generally make a different group of players available to reporters, along with Udoka.
Buy Rockets TicketsOn Wednesday, Udoka credited veterans such as VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Jeff Green with quickly accepting a leadership role.
“It was immediate from Day 1,” Udoka told sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson of the Space City Home Network.
“Not only verbally, with helping our guys out and pulling guys aside and teaching, but it’s their work ethic, routine and professionalism. What they do every day is kind of rubbing off on the group.”
“It’s important for young guys to see that it doesn’t happen by chance. They’ve had the success they’ve had because of what they what they do on a daily basis. And so just kind of sitting back and watching them, I think they impart some of that onto our young guys.”
Scroll on for a compilation of video highlights and interview quotes from all of Wednesday’s training camp activity.
Wednesday’s Rockets training camp footage
“Everybody is playing for something.”
Great to talk with Coach Udoka today.
-His perspective as a former player
-Veteran presence
-Defensive communication
-Goals for Jalen Green
-Visiting players this summer @HoustonRockets | @SpaceCityHN pic.twitter.com/81SWQrmn9K— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) October 4, 2023
I asked Fred VanVleet about the chemistry he is building with Jalen Green
“I just feel he is super hungry to be great and take that next step” pic.twitter.com/eEkCFxRoMe— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 4, 2023
I asked Alperen about his confidence shooting open 3s this season
“I worked all summer and now my teammates telling my coaches telling me you need to shoot” pic.twitter.com/cenO7GQzKG— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 4, 2023
Day 2 in Lake Charles.
Ime Udoka, Fred VanVleet and Alperen Şengün to speak with the media shortly. pic.twitter.com/gps7qXihj8
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) October 4, 2023
Alperen Sengun did not take part in the 5-on-5 portion of yesterday’s practice after tweaking his ankle, but he was full go today
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) October 4, 2023
Tari Eason is a menace pic.twitter.com/u88kGlk3LM
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) October 4, 2023
Amen Thompson getting up shots pic.twitter.com/59z8HUsx8L
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 4, 2023
“For the journey ahead. One step at a time.”
🤝 @FredVanVleet pic.twitter.com/zaSOCbtfRV
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 4, 2023
Fun observing Ime Udoka run the Rockets the last two days. One of Udoka's first acts was to run the team through a 30-minute film session showing all they did wrong last season. There are going to be some bumpy moments early. But I bet this team plays .500-ish ball after the…
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) October 4, 2023
Josh Bostic is joining Ime Udoka’s staff as a player development coach, sources tell @TheAthletic. Bostic, 36, played 14 years professionally — including a stint with the Detroit Pistons.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 4, 2023
What is wide action/screening?
A screen set by a player (usually a Big) at the top of the key for their teammate on the weakside wing to cut toward the ball for catch-and-shoot or to catch and transition into a middle pick-and-roll downhill. Example from Training Camp Day 1. pic.twitter.com/dZxUuhsJCi
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) October 4, 2023
that @FredVanVleet to @JalenGreen connection is definitely something we can get used to 🤩 pic.twitter.com/rK1cnQvAXn
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 3, 2023
