Vipers, with assist from Rockets, ready for D-League draft

With the Houston Rockets throwing in their considerable resources, Rio Grande Valley Vipers coach Chris Finch declared his team ready to go for Thursday night’s D-League draft that is being held in Atlanta.

Finch and assistant Paul Mokeski will be huddling with the Rockets’ brass in Houston for the draft. The Rockets own the basketball operating rights for the Vipers and have been taking charge of the draft preparation. From what Finch has seen, there are plenty of good players to go around.

“We’re not short on preparation, that’s for sure,” Finch said. “There’s certainly enough talent in there to put together a good team, especially when you mix in the guys we have on the docket.”

The eight-round draft begins at 6 p.m. and will be televised on NBA TV. The Vipers draft in the 12th spot in the 16-team league. Albuquerque has the first pick.

The Vipers are looking at players who can fit into the Rockets’ basic philosophy of playing up-tempo basketball coupled with tough defense.

The draft pool includes former NBA draftees JamesOn Curry (2007, Chicago), Orien Greene (2005, Boston) and Deron Washington (2008, Detroit).

The eight Rio Grande Valley draftees will join six former Vipers in training camp. The team announced Wednesday that several members from last year’s Vipers team including forward Stanley Asumnu, center Kurt Looby, forwards Ernest Scott, Marcus Hubbard and Julian Sensley and guard Cliff Clinkscales will participate in training camp.

Asumnu has played for the Vipers the last two seasons, including 47 games last season. Looby, one of two Vipers to play in all 50 games last season, was in the Denver Nuggets training camp this season before getting released.

The camp will also include former Baylor standout Henry Dugat, who was invited following a local tryout. Dugat was an honorable mention All-Big 12 pick two years ago.

The D-League allocated two former Rockets forward Mike Harris and guard Garrett Temple to the Vipers on Wednesday. Harris played with the Rockets during the 2007-08 season. Temple was in the Rockets’ training camp this year.

There will be a local draft watching party at Jackson’s All-American Sports Grill in McAllen.

David Hinojosa covers the Rio Grande Valley Vipers for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4442.