Rockets Sign Rafael Castro

HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed center Rafael Castro [RAH-fi-ell] to a two-way contract.

Castro (6-10, 224) was eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft following his redshirt senior season at George Washington.  At the NBA Draft Combine, he measured with a 9-foot-1.5-inch standing reach and a 7-foot-1.25-inch wingspan.  Castro played for Milwaukee’s entries in the California Classic and NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

After three seasons at Providence, including one as a redshirt freshman, Castro transferred to George Washington.  He started all 63 games he played as a junior and senior, averaging 14.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.52 blocks and 1.48 steals while shooting 64.4% from the floor.  Over that span, Castro joined Yaxel Lendeborg as the only Division I players to have averaged at least 14.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.50 bpg and 1.40 spg.

Castro was a two-time Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team selection and a finalist for the 2025-26 Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year Award.

In a related move, the Rockets have waived guard Tristen Newton.