Houston Rockets Assign Ishmael Smith to NBA D-League Affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers
January 17, 2011 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2011 - Houston Rockets guard Ishmael Smith was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' NBA Development League affiliate, it was announced today. The assignment marks the 32nd time in the 2010-11 season an NBA player has been assigned to an NBA D-League affiliate, and it is the first assignment for Smith, a rookie out of Wake Forest.
Smith (6-0, 175) has appeared in 24 games this season for the Rockets, averaging 3.1 points, 2.4 assists and 1.5 rebounds. Houston signed Smith, an undrafted free agent, in August. On the Rockets' 2010 NBA Summer League team, Smith averaged 7.8 points and a team-high 4.8 assists in five starts at point guard.
In four years at Wake Forest, Smith averaged 9.2 points, 5.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 121 games. Smith, whose 612 career assists ranks second in Wake Forest history, is the only Demon Deacon ever to record at least 1,000 points (1,114) and 600 assists in a career.
Smith is expected to join the Vipers for the team's home game against the Maine Red Claws on Tuesday. Rockets fans can keep track of Smith and the Vipers by logging onto nba.com/dleague to watch every game live, online, for free.
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