The Legacy of the Houston Rockets' No. 17: Tari Eason (2022-2026)

Since their inception in the 1967-68 season, the Houston Rockets have seen a myriad of players donning an impressive 52 different jersey numbers, with one unique exception for assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson. Over the years, nearly 500 athletes have represented the franchise, showcasing the rich history of the team. Currently, seven jerseys have been retired to pay tribute to some of the most iconic figures in Rockets lore.

In this installment of our series examining the significance of each jersey number, we focus on the eighth player to wear the No. 17: forward Tari Eason. Following a successful tenure at LSU, Eason was selected as the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, joining the Rockets as a promising talent.

The Portsmouth, Virginia native has spent his first four professional seasons with Houston and continues to play for the team as of this writing. Throughout his time with the Rockets, Eason has exclusively worn the No. 17 jersey, averaging 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, according to Basketball Reference.

As the Rockets continue to build their legacy, players like Eason contribute to the ongoing story of this storied franchise.