Le’Bryan Nash Signs With Houston Rockets D-League Team

Former Oklahoma State forward Le’Bryan Nah will get another shot at the NBA, after spending a year in Japan playing for the Fukushima Firebonds. The former McDonald’s All-American and All-Big 12 selection will be added to the roster of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ NBA Development League affiliate.

More good news for Cowboys in the NBA today. Congrats @LBgetbuckets02! #alwaysacowboy #okstate https://t.co/oechu1whUz

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) October 22, 2016

LB got buckets in Japan, breaking the Fukushima Firebonds’ franchise record by scoring 54 points in a game last February, and averaging 26.6 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game for the whole season.

Matt Wixon of Dallas Morning News wrote a really interesting article about Nash’s time in Japan, his relationship with mentor and former OSU star Byron Eaton, his challenges with being away from his family and friends (he has a daughter, Kenleigh), and his favorite restaurant, Chipotle.

“I miss being able to see my daughter every day and being a father to her,” Nash told the DMN. “Just mostly being with my family and friends,” he said. “Mostly, I stay in my room, but I do play video games with my teammates and go out to eat with them. Sometimes we’ll go out and see what Japan is like.”

Nash, still just 24, was once considered a top recruit coming out of high school, and it was assumed he’d be one-and-done in Stillwater before heading on to the NBA. However, things worked out differently, and Nash will spend this season trying to earn a call up to the Houston Rockets. Check out his highlights from his time in Japan below-