The Houston Rockets converted Exhibit 10 training camp deals with undrafted rookies Shamorie Ponds and William McDowell-White to two-way contracts, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
As two-way players, Ponds and McDowell-White will be allowed to spend up to 45 days with the Rockets’ main roster, not counting travel days or days before the G-League season begins.
Since each NBA team can only give out two two-way deals, the move would appear to put impressive rookie guard Chris Clemons — who led the Rockets in Summer League scoring at over 20 points per game — on course for a standard NBA contract.
Ponds averaged 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.6 steals in 35.1 minutes per game at St. John’s University last season. The 6-foot-1 guard shot 52.1% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range.
Unlike Ponds, who is known first for his scoring, the 6-foot-5 McDowell-White is highly regarded for his size, passing, and defensive ability. After being ruled academically ineligible at Fresno State University, McDowell-White has spent most of his time the last two years with Baunach in Germany’s second division.
A foot injury limited the Australian guard to just seven games last season, in which he averaged 10.4 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.1 steals in 23.3 minutes per game.
Both Ponds and McDowell-White are 21 years old.
