Former Kansas State star guard Markquis Nowell signed a contract to play with the Houston Rockets, the organization announced on Oct. 1.

Nowell, a former All-American in college, signs with the Rockets after spending part of the 2023-24 season with the Toronto Raptors, which signed him to a two-way contract following the 2023 NBA Draft. 

During his time with the Raptors’ G-League team in his first professional season, Nowell played in just 13 games before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. 

Before the setback, he averaged 13.8 points on 40.7 percent shooting with 7.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 31.9 minutes per game, earning a bid to the NBA G League All-Star game. 

The 5-foot-7 point guard from Harlem, New York is known for his “heart over height” persona and the nickname “Mr. New York City.”

Under then-first-year head coach Jerome Tang, Nowell won the 2023 Bob Cousy Point Guard Award and was named a third-team All-American.

He averaged a team-best 17.6 points and 8.3 assists per game, facilitating the Wildcats’ climb from Big 12 preseason last-place pick to an Elite Eight appearance. He is the school’s single-season leader in assists and steals.

Nowell averaged 23.5 points, 13.5 assists and four steals during K-State’s four-game NCAA Tournament run. He earned Most Outstanding Player honors for the NCAA East Regional, highlighted by an all-time tournament record of 19 assists in a single game.

Nowell and the Rockets open the preseason Oct. 7. The regular season tips off with a home game against former teammate Keyontae Johnson and the Charlotte Hornets Oct. 23.

Johnson, also a G-League All-Star last year, was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2023 NBA Draft and signed to a two-way contract.

He signed with the Hornets on Sept. 11 after a crowded Thunder roster made room for new additions.