Considering other 2025 offseason additions such as Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela, 27-year-old guard Josh Okogie wasn’t nearly the biggest name to join the 2025-26 Houston Rockets.

But the tenacious 6-foot-4 defender could still make a significant impact, particularly for a head coach in Ime Udoka who emphasizes the defensive side of the court. (Houston was rated among the NBA’s top-five defenses last season.)

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At Thursday’s September 11 community event, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone was asked about the Okogie signing and the thought process behind it.

Stone responded (via Locked on Rockets):

Josh has been really good. He’s been with us (practicing in Houston) for a couple weeks now.

He’s a very young veteran… is how I would describe him. But I just think he fits us really well. He gets after it. He literally gives you everything, even in pickup (games). Every possession. I love those types of players. He can really defend, he can really switch. He’s a great point of attack defender.

Whoever we toss on the court, we want to be very deep. We want to be deep in ways where, like, we can go small… and not be small. I think he could fit really well there.

We were just very excited that he was available.

A 6-foot-4 wing with a long 7-foot-0 wingspan, Okogie is extremely well regarded for his perimeter defense. In 40 games last season with the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets, the 26-year-old averaged 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 15.6 minutes per game.

While primarily known as a wing defender, it’s worth noting that Okogie shot 34.8% on 3-pointers last season, representing the best clip of his NBA career to date.

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The one-year, $3.1-million contract between Okogie and the Rockets is fully guaranteed for the 2025-26 season, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle.

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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘He can really defend’: Rafael Stone excited by arrival of Josh Okogie