The Houston Rockets are bolstering their backcourt depth, signing former University of Florida guard Chris Chiozza to a 10-day contract, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Rockets are signing G League guard Chris Chiozza to a 10-day contract, league sources tell ESPN. A rookie out of Florida, he was preparing to play with Jeff Van Gundy and USA Basketball at the FIBA qualifiers in Greensboro.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 22, 2019
Chiozza had been playing for the Capital City Go-Go, averaging 13.1 points and 6.8 assists to go along with 1.8 steals per game.
The Rockets signed Austin Rivers in December in part to account for Chris Paul’s absence, but Chiozza fills more of traditional point guard role.
Chiozza started in over half of the Gators’ games in his sophomore season, but did not make a single start and saw a slight minute-decrease in the following season.
Still, he made one of the best plays of the NCAA Tournament in 2017, sinking an incredible three-point floater to beat Wisconsin in the Sweet Sixteen. He would go on to be named to the All-Region team for the Tournament.
The 6’0″ guard from Memphis would carry that momentum into his senior year, when he started nearly every game for the Gators and posted career highs in points (11.1), assists (6.1), rebounds (4.3) and steals (1.9).
Houston’s decision to sign Chiozza is hardly a surprise. Aside from adding Rivers, they also traded for Iman Shumpert earlier this season, showing a clear desire to add backcourt pieces.
Chris Paul has struggled to overcome injuries and inefficiency this season, as he actually has a higher turnover percentage (and lower assist percentage) than James Harden.
Chiozza should be able to spare Paul of some minutes while adding another element to the Rockets as more of a slashing, facilitating-type of a guard.
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