Nigerian basketball star Josh Okogie is getting ready for a brand new chapter in his NBA profession after signing a one-year deal price $3.1 million with the Houston Rockets.
The 26-year-old capturing guard, who was not too long ago a free agent, will reunite with two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant, as each gamers had been teammates on the Phoenix Suns.
Okogie, who was born in Nigeria and raised in the USA, shared his pleasure on social media, posting:
“Houston, we’ve an issue,” – a playful message to followers of his new workforce, promising thrilling occasions forward.
Okogie started his NBA journey in 2018 when he was chosen twentieth total within the NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, following two seasons at Georgia Tech. He spent 4 seasons with the Timberwolves, earlier than becoming a member of the Phoenix Suns in 2022.
Earlier this yr, in January 2025, he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets as a part of a multi-player deal that additionally included future draft picks. Nonetheless, the Hornets waived him on 15 July, making him a free agent earlier than his transfer to Houston.
Over his seven NBA seasons, Okogie has performed in 416 video games, beginning in 167. He has averaged 6.3 factors, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.93 steals in 19.1 minutes per sport. Notably, within the 2024/25 season, he ranked fourth in steals per 36 minutes amongst gamers who performed not less than 40 video games, with a formidable 2.8 steals per 36 minutes.
Over the past season, break up between the Suns and Hornets, he performed 40 video games, averaging 1.2 steals in simply 15.6 minutes per sport.
Internationally, Okogie has proudly represented Nigeria’s D’Tigers at main tournaments, together with the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
On the Rockets, Okogie will now play below head coach Ime Udoka, one other Nigerian, as he seems to convey vitality, defence, and expertise to a younger workforce aiming for development within the Western Convention.
