He waited all season long, but former UConn men’s basketball star Tristen Newton finally got some run in an NBA game on Sunday.
After spending the season in the G League, the Houston Rockets called Newton up to the bigs for the season finale. He saw just 12 minutes of action but scored 12 points, grabbed three rebounds, hit two three-pointers and came away with a steal.
The Rockets beat the Grizzlies 132-101 to close out the season.
Newton had an outstanding season in the G League, averaging 25.8 points (third in the league), 5.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals in 49 games for Rio Grande Valley, the Rockets’ affiliate. He was named to the Rising Stars Challenge as a representative of the G League during NBA All-Star Weekend, and was named First Team All-G League. He helped Rio Grande Valley reach the second round of the G League playoffs.
The 24-year-old signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Rockets, meaning he will split time in the G League and the NBA next season unless Houston decides to offer him a contract with the big club.
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