By JOHN LIKANJE
Anthony Lamb’s phone call from an NBA team to join their roster came sooner than expected. Eleven days after getting traded within the NBA G League bubble from the Canton Charge to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the 6-foot-6 forward was called up by the Houston Rockets, Monday evening.
Hard Work really does pay off! Congrats @AnthonyMLamb
Enjoy the NBA !!#TrojansPride@AthenaHigh pic.twitter.com/PD2kfvqtH5— Greece Athena Boys Basketball (@GAHSBoysHoops) March 9, 2021
Lamb joins a team seeking its identity after trading away franchise superstar James Harden back in mid-January. The former Greece Athena star averaged 18.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks in six games with the Vipers. Lamb shot 56 percent from the field as well, including 41.9 percent from beyond the arc.
The 6-foot-6 forward netted at least 20 points in three of six contests, including 32 points in a 124-113 victory over the Erie Bayhawks in his team debut. Lamb’s other notable game was a double-double of 24 points and 10 boards plus three assists, three steals and a block on Friday in a 110-94 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Despite being called up by the Rockets, Lamb will have a plethora of competition at both positions mostly suited for him: shooting guard and small forward. At shooting guard, head coach Stephen Silas runs Sterling Brown, Eric Gordon, Ben McLemore and Victor Oladipo. At small forward, the Rockets send out Danuel House and Jae’Sean Tate.
Lamb will be the first player from the Greece Athena boys basketball program on an active NBA roster since John Wallace. Wallace played for the Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors over his seven-year tenure.
Lamb’s first opportunity to make his official NBA debut will be on Thursday in Sacramento when the Rockets take on the Kings. Game is slated for 10 p.m. at Golden 1 Center.