Rockets Coach Un-Retiring, Plans to Sign in G-League

As Covid has continued to ravage the NBA this season, more and more veterans are getting chances to return to the NBA in the form of hardship signings and it appears one more name was added to the talent pool as Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Rockets Assistant Coach and 12-year NBA veteran Gerald Green is reportedly “un-retiring” and plans to sign with the G-league in hopes of landing an NBA deal.

The 35-year old shooting guard last played in 2019 for the Rockets where, in 73 games played, he averaged 9.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and .5 of an assist per game. After that season, it was announced on October 28, 2019, that Green would undergo surgery to repair a broken bone in his left foot which left him sidelined for the entire 2019-2020 season and ultimately led to his retirement and eventually hiring as an assistant coach with Houston.

Gerald Green is unretiring and plans to sign in the G League, per @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/nSYnBvXr1X
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 6, 2022

When talking to Zach Allen of The Dream Shake on New Year’s Day, Green had this to say about a possible return, “I can still hoop for sure. I can definitely still hoop for sure. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’d love to hoop. We’ll see. You’ll never know. I’m always up for the challenge. I loved the opportunity and will never take it for granted. I’m a hooper.” Given those comments, it seems the 2007 Dunk Contest winner has had some time to mull things over and likes his odds of grabbing a job in the NBA.

It’s worth noting that Green’s previous stint in the G-league, then known as the D-league, culminated in him winning the MVP of the 2011 D-League All-Star game and he will likely be hoping to find similar success this time around. Check out below for footage of Green winning the 2007 NBA Dunk Contest.