Pops: It Feels Good to Be a Rocket

HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets have reached a verbal agreement on a contract with free agent forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu according to his agent John Greig.

"We have an agreement," Greig said in an interview Thursday with FOX 26 Sports. "It's a one-year deal.

"They are hoping Pops will fly in soon and do a physical."

Mensah-Bonsu is ready to roll right now.

"I an wonderful, especially after (Thursday's) events," Mensah-Bonsu said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

"It feels good to be a Rocket. I followed them closely last year and I feel like I know what I can do to help them.

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, who has not been available for comment, has been working this off-season to add depth to his front court with Yao Ming out for the year because of injuries and Dikembe Mutombo has retired.

Mensah-Bonsu is 6'10, 206 pounds.

He played in 12 games for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2006-07 season and split time last year with the San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors.

Mensah-Bonsu has career averages of 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds after playing a total of 34 games over two years.

However, during 19 games with Toronto last season he averaged 5.1 points and 5.4 rebounds while averaging only 13.8 minutes a game.

Mensah-Bonsu was in Houston for three days meeting with the Rockets earlier this week.

"The Rockets did a fabulous job with Pops," Greig said. "They made him feel like he was Trevor Ariza."