National Basketball Association

Rockets sign G Machado

Published Sep. 7, 2012 10:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Houston Rockets have signed Scott Machado, who led the nation in assists last season with Iona.

The 6-foot-1 Machado played well on the Rockets' summer league team, averaging 8.0 points, a team-high 5.6 assists and 2.2 steals in five games. He closed summer league play by leading the Rockets with 20 points and six assists in a 96-88 win over Chicago.

Machado, a rookie free agent who averaged 9.9 assists as a senior, averaged 12.2 points, 6.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 132 games over four seasons at Iona. Machado is the Gaels' career leader in assists (880) and ranks 17th in NCAA history.

The Rockets announced they have waived forward Diamon Simpson.