Apr 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Houston Rockets center N'Faly Dante (3) block Los Angeles Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (10) in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Returning Houston Rockets Player Hopes to Impress in Summer League

Originally posted on Houston Rockets on SI
By Alec Elijah | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 11:23 AM ET

A little over a week ago, the Houston Rockets decided to offer one of their two-way contracts to former Oregon Ducks center N'Faly Dante. This put the 23-year-old center on a fast track to be a player to watch out for the Rockets' Summer League trip to Las Vegas starting July 11.

After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, Dante spent last season on the Rockets' G League team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers where he proved to be very valuable and have the potential of an NBA caliber player.

I want to see N’Faly Dante get another shot. Look at these highlights: https://t.co/v21M3Zf6LF pic.twitter.com/1KMvjMa47C
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 4, 2025

In 2024-25 in the G League, Dante averaged 16.5 points on a 74.8 field goal percentage to go along with 10.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

He also logged four appearances with the Rockets in his first season, logging 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 12.6 minutes per game.

Dante and the Houston Rockets will face the LA Clippers to kick off their Summer League schedule on Friday, July 11. Followed up by matchups with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, July 13, Atlanta Hawks on Monday, July 14 and the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, July 17.

Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

If the 6-foot-11 center can prove to be a valuable two-way asset, Coach Ime Udoka may use Dante throughout the season as a depth player despite having a loaded center room with Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, and now Clint Capela on the roster.

Udoka prides his players on being defensive playmakers on the court and if the former Ducks center can show the Rockets head coach he is a proven two-way player, then this two-way contract can turn into a full-time roster spot in the young center's second season.

Dante will not be the only player for Houston coming for a spot on the team next season; however, being that it is his second year with the team and he already showed great promise last season with the Vipers, Dante could find himself as a shoo-in for next season.

This article first appeared on Houston Rockets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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