Wake Forest Athletics
Ishmael Smith Signs Free Agent Contract with the Houston Rockets
8/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 23, 2010
Read the Rockets' Official Press Release
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Former Wake Forest guard Ishmael Smith has signed a multi-year contract with the Houston Rockets, as announced by the team on Monday.
Smith, who graduated from Wake Forest in May, went undrafted but received an invitation to play on the Rockets' summer league team last month in Las Vegas. Smith impressed the team during the summer league, averaging 7.8 points and 4.8 assists per game and shooting 58 percent from the floor.
A native of Concord, N.C., Smith ended his Demon Deacon career as the only player in school history with 1,000 points and 600 assists. He ranks second all-time at Wake Forest in career assists.
A second team All-ACC pick as a senior, Smith averaged 13.2 points, 6.0 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game in 2009-10.
Smith is expected to compete for time at the point guard spot with veterans Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry. Brooks is entering his fourth season with the Rockets, while Lowry is entering his third with the franchise.
A school-record eight former Deacons are currently on NBA rosters, including four drafted or signed in the past two years.
Chas McFarland, a 2010 Wake Forest graduate, played on the Rockets summer league team last month. McFarland signed a contract last week to play in Brazil.
The last Deacon to play for Houston was Frank Johnson during the 1988-89 season. Mike Helms was drafted by the Rockets in the seventh round of the 1982 NBA Draft but never suited up for the team.
Smith will wear jersey No. 13 for the Rockets.
