Eason grabbed at No. 17
The Houston Rockets took Tari Eason with the 17th overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, adding a second first-round pick to go with their selection at No. 3, Jabari Smith Jr.
Eason, a 6-foot-8 forward, played his first season of college basketball at Cincinnati before transferring to LSU. He attended high school in Seattle, a city to which Rockets GM Rafael Stone has many connections. Eason met with the Rockets at the NBA Combine prior to the draft and had what he described as a “really good conversation.”
“I think I'm just going to bring a defensive versatility and a competitive edge and just a winning mindset to the team,” he said.
The Rockets acquired the No. 17 pick from the Nets as part of the James Harden deal. The pick was projected to be a late firstrounder but ended up higher thanks to Brooklyn’s worse-than-expected 2021-22 season — a twist of good fortune for the Rockets.
At LSU, Eason was named 2021-22 SEC Sixth Man of the Year and to the All-SEC first team after he averaged 16.9 points on 52.1 percent shooting and 6.6 rebounds. From his freshman season at Cincinnati to his sophomore season at LSU, Eason improved his 3-point shooting by 11.8 percentage points and his scoring average by 9.6 points.
Possibly of most consequence to the Rockets, who had the NBA’s worst defense last season: Eason is an extremely versatile defender (1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks) known for using his 7-foot-2 wingspan to disrupt passing lanes. He sometimes played center in college but likely profiles as a power forward in the pros.
Eason said he believes he can guard all five positions.
“It really just stems from my competitive nature,” he said. “I believe that no one can score on me, or not, or I make it hard for people to score on me. I know it's the NBA and certain dudes are going to score and things are going to happen. But I pride myself on my defense and really just my competitive spirit always.”
Notable players who were No. 17 picks in the NBA draft include Jrue Holiday (2009, Philadelphia), Jermaine O’Neal (1996, Portland) and Shawn Kemp (1989, Seattle).