Rockets to hire veteran assistant coach, shooting guru Chip Engelland: Source

The Houston Rockets plan to bolster their coaching staff by hiring veteran assistant and shooting guru Chip Engelland to work under head coach Ime Udoka, a team source confirmed to The Athletic.

Engelland spent the last four seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder and is mostly known for his 17-year run with the San Antonio Spurs, which began in 2005 and ended in 2022.

Over the years, Engelland has earned a reputation as one of the top shooting coaches in the league, with players such as Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Dejounte Murray among his biggest success stories.

Engelland and Udoka also have a history after spending three years together in San Antonio during Udoka’s time as a player with the Spurs.

Engelland’s presence could be an important addition to a Houston team that has prioritized 3-point shooting as one of the team’s biggest areas to address during the offseason.

Last season, the Rockets shot 36.4 percent from distance, which ranked No. 10 in the NBA, but they only averaged 31.5 attempts per game, which ranked No. 28.

Engelland’s attention to detail on shot mechanics and routine could be especially important for players like Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, who are incredibly impactful on defense but tend to be inconsistent with their jumpers.