Tari Eason

Tari Jordan Eason (born May 10, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A versatile 6-foot-8 forward, Eason has established himself as one of the premier “energy” players and defensive disruptors in the league. Known for his elite rebounding, defensive instincts, and high-intensity style, he has become a foundational piece of the Rockets’ young core.

Early Life 

College Career

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and raised in Seattle, Washington, Eason attended Garfield High School under the mentorship of former NBA star Brandon Roy. He led his team to a 3A state championship as a senior, earning tournament MVP honors. 

Eason began his college career at the University of Cincinnati, where he was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team. Seeking a larger role, he transferred to LSU for the 2021–22 season. In a historic sophomore campaign, he primarily came off the bench to average 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. He was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year and a member of the All-SEC First Team, becoming one of the most productive players in the country despite not being a full-time starter.

 

NBA Career 

Houston Rockets (2022-present) 

The Houston Rockets selected Eason with the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Eason made an immediate impact, appearing in all 82 games as a rookie. His ability to generate extra possessions through offensive rebounds and steals earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He finished the season averaging 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds, famously recording a 20-point, 13-rebound game against the Thunder, where 12 of those rebounds were offensive.

His second and third seasons were marked by a leap in efficiency but also a struggle with a persistent lower-leg injury. In the 2024–25 season, despite playing limited games due to surgery, he averaged 12.1 points and 1.7 steals. His “per-minute” statistics consistently ranked among the best in the league for defensive impact, earning him the nickname “The Pest” from opposing coaches.

 

Player Profile

Eason is often described as a “chaos agent” on the floor. His 7-foot-2 wingspan and massive hands (similar in size to Kawhi Leonard’s) allow him to deflect passes and rip the ball away from opponents with ease. Offensively, he has evolved from a pure transition threat into a reliable spot-up shooter, hitting a career-high percentage from beyond the arc this season.