Rockets to Hold Open Practice and Autograph Session at State Farm Arena On October 3

September 28, 2010 

HIDALGO, TEXAS - The NBA Development League Champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers announced today their parent club, the Houston Rockets, is holding an open practice followed by an RGV Vipers Autograph Session Presented by Warehouse Pool Supply featuring members of the Houston Rockets at State Farm Arena on Sunday, October 3.

The open portion of practice will begin at 3:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The autograph session will include Rockets stars such as Yao Ming.

The open practice and autograph session are a part of RGV Rocket Launch 2010, celebrating the Rockets’ return to the Rio Grande Valley. This is the second consecutive year in which the Rockets have held a portion of training camp and a preseason game on the Vipers’ court. Led by former-Viper Aaron Brooks’ game-high 21 points, the Rockets beat the Boston Celtics 96-90 in front of a record sell-out crowd of 6,300 people last year.

Tickets to this year’s preseason game between the Rockets and the Orlando Magic on October 5 at 7:30 p.m. at State Farm Arena are still available and can be purchased by calling the Vipers at 972-1144 or online at rgvipers.com. Vipers season tickets are also available for purchase to guarantee access to the autograph session.

The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are the NBA Development League affiliate of the NBA Houston Rockets. The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises.  For the 2010-11 season, the league will feature 16 teams – including the debut of the Texas Legends.  A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams.  In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs.  The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA.  Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.