In a recent NBA preseason game, the Houston Rockets, resting almost all of their key players, defeated the Atlanta Hawks 133–115. The win extended the Rockets’ preseason record to 4–0, while the Hawks’ two-game winning streak came to an end, leaving them with a 2–2 preseason record.
Reserve center Enfaly Dante had an average performance in the game. He played 19 minutes and 49 seconds, shooting 3 of 5 from the field and 1 of 2 from the free-throw line, finishing with 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block, including 4 offensive rebounds, 2 fouls, and a plus-minus of -10. While Dante contributed on the boards and in rim protection, he lacked scoring threat on offense, showed limited passing and playmaking ability, and his defensive mobility and focus need improvement.
Dante, from Mali, is about to turn 24. He stands 211 cm tall, weighs 120 kg, and went undrafted in last year’s NBA Draft before signing a two-way contract with the Rockets. Last season, he appeared in 4 NBA regular-season games, averaging 12.7 minutes, 6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, with a field-goal percentage of 76.9%. In the NBA G League, he played 42 games, averaging 15 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game. In the Summer League, he averaged 6.7 points, 3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game.
Although Dante’s performance has been inconsistent, his preseason stats with the Hawks—averaging 3.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game—make him a key focus as the team considers whether to retain him.
