Houston Rockets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Rockets
By Phil Watson
169. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Memphis Grizzlies, July 12, 2006.. SF-SG. 2006-11. Shane Battier. 15. player
The Houston Rockets made a move for perimeter size and defense, acquiring swingman Shane Battier from the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2006 in exchange for Stromile Swift and the rights to eighth overall pick Rudy Gay.
Battier excelled in his role for the Rockets, earning All-Defensive honors twice before he was traded back to the Grizzlies with Ish Smith in February 2011 in exchange for DeMarre Carroll, Hasheem Thabeet and a 2013 first-round pick.
In parts of five seasons in Houston, Battier averaged 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a block in 34.2 minutes per game, shooting .429/.388/.743.
The consensus national player of the year as a senior at Duke, Battier was a two-time All-American and led the Blue Devils to a national title as a senior, averaging 19.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game that season.
He was the sixth overall pick by the Grizzlies in the 2001 NBA Draft and was an All-Rookie selection in 2001-02.
In December 2011, he signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat and was part of two championship teams in Miami before retiring in June 2014.
He is 41st in NBA history with 1,250 3-pointers.
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