A Look Back at Mike Harris and the No. 19 Jersey for the Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have a storied history, marked by a variety of jersey numbers worn by nearly 500 players since their inception in the 1967-68 season. Over the years, a total of 52 different jersey numbers have been utilized, including one number not associated with any player, designated for assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson. To celebrate this rich history, Rockets Wire is examining each jersey number and the players who have worn them, with seven jerseys permanently retired in honor of the franchise's legends.

Today, we turn our attention to the number 19, which has been worn by three players, with Mike Harris being the first. After completing his college career at Rice University, Harris went undrafted in 2005, leading him to seek opportunities in various basketball leagues. It wasn't until 2008 that he found a spot on the Houston Rockets roster.

The forward from Hillsboro, Texas, played for the Rockets for two seasons before being released in 2010. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Washington Wizards but made a brief return to Houston in 2011 before exiting the NBA once more. Throughout his time with the Rockets, Harris consistently wore jersey number 19, averaging 3.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game during his tenure.

These statistics and insights are sourced from Basketball Reference, highlighting the impact Harris had during his time with the franchise. The journey of players like Harris reflects the ongoing legacy of the Houston Rockets and their connection to the game's history.