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Houston Rockets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Rockets

By Phil Watson

Apr 21, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; General view inside Toyota Center before game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; General view inside Toyota Center before game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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INGLEWOOD -1987: Rodney McCray #22 of the Houston Rockets goes to the basket during a game in the1987-88 season against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by: Mike Powell/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD -1987: Rodney McCray #22 of the Houston Rockets goes to the basket during a game in the1987-88 season against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Forum in Inglewood, California.  (Photo by: Mike Powell/Getty Images) /

player. 169. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 3rd overall pick from Louisville, 1983 NBA Draft.. SF. 1983-88. Rodney McCray. 14

Rodney McCray was a versatile piece for a Louisville team that was in the Final Four in three of his four years there.

The Houston Rockets were intrigued enough by his athletic potential that he was the third overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft despite modest averages of 11 points and more than eight rebounds per game as a senior.

HOU_12_MCCRAY
HOU_12_MCCRAY /

McCray was a two-time All-Defensive selection for the Rockets and was fifth in the NBA in minutes per game in 1986-87.

He was also part of the 1986 NBA Finals squad, averaging 15.3 points, four rebounds, four assists and 1.2 steals in 39.5 minutes per game, shooting .588/—/12-for-17 in the six-game loss to the Boston Celtics.

In October 1988, he was traded with Jim Petersen to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Otis Thorpe.

In five seasons in Houston, McCray averaged 12.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 33.4 minutes per game, shooting .522/.038/.763.

With the Kings, he led the NBA in minutes per game in 1989-90 before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in June 1990.

Part of a three-team deal in September 1992, McCray was swapped to the Chicago Bulls, where he was part of their 1993 NBA title team.

He retired after the 1992-93 season, but attempted a comeback in October 1997 with the Los Angeles Clippers, which ended when he was waived before the start of the regular season.

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