Former Houston Rockets first-round selection Josh Christopher has officially joined Israeli Basketball Premier League side Ironi Ness Ziona. The 24-year-old guard's signing was confirmed by the club on Saturday. This news arrives as the current Rockets roster works through a recent stretch of 2 wins and 3 losses 2026.
Christopher's move to Israel represents a significant shift in his professional path. He successfully passed his medical exams and is cleared to practice immediately with his new team. Ironi Ness Ziona stated they are "pleased" to have him for the upcoming campaign. Christopher will join a roster featuring other former NBA players like Jacob Wiley, Freddie Gillespie, and Jackson Rowe, who played six games for the Golden State Warriors in the 2024-25 season.
In a statement released by the club, Christopher expressed his readiness. "I am proud to join Ness Ziona," he said. "I'm ready to get to work and can't wait to step onto the court in front of our fans." The club finished 9-17 last season, narrowly avoiding relegation. They've never won the Israeli league but were semifinalists in 2020 and 2023, and they clinched the 2021 FIBA Europe Cup.
The Houston Rockets drafted Josh Christopher with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft following his freshman year at Arizona State. He saw immediate action as a rookie, appearing in 74 games and averaging 7.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest. His role off the bench continued into his second season, though his playing time decreased.
His time in Houston ended in the summer of 2023. Christopher was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the sign-and-trade deal for Dillon Brooks. Memphis waived him before the 2023-24 season began. He later held a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz but never played for their NBA team, instead suiting up for the G League's Salt Lake City Stars.
Christopher's overseas move closes a chapter for a former Rockets prospect. The current Houston squad's attention is firmly on its own performance. Their recent form shows a pattern of LWWLL over their last five outings. This sequence includes a 115-96 win over the Lakers on April 27, 2026, but also consecutive losses of 108-112 and 78-98 to the same opponent to close the period. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page.
For the 2024-25 season, Christopher had signed with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Miami Heat's G League affiliate. He earned a two-way deal with the Heat and played 14 NBA games. He left the league mid-season to play briefly for the Shenzhen Leopards in China before this latest move to Israel. His career now continues far from the NBA, where the Rockets he once played for are building their future.
