Lowry traded to Rockets

Point guard Kyle Lowry, who was a major star at Villanova during the 2005 and 2006 tournament runs, has been traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

At Houston, Lowry will get to play with superstars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, at least once McGrady recovers from knee surgery. Playing for the Rockets might also allow Lowry to make his first trip to the NBA playoffs.

Lowry will join his former assistant coach Brett Gunning in Houston, who left the Villanova for the Rockets last summer. Gunning is Houston's director of player development.

The Rockets' modern methods of player evaluation and statistics-derived strategy were showcased in an excellent cover story by Michael Lewis in the New York Times Magazine last Sunday.

The Grizzlies receive a first-round pick from playoff-bound Orlando in the three-way deal. Orlando gets point guard Rafer Alston from Houston to fill in for the Magic's own injured all-star point guard, Jameer Nelson from St. Joseph's.

According to Stein, Houston will also receive Brian Cook from Orlando and possibly more players to round out the trade.

Gunning leaves 'Nova for NBA

Villanova assistant coach Brett Gunning will leave the team to take a job with the Houston Rockets of the NBA, according to a press release issued by Villanova University today.

Gunning, who was named associate head coach in 2005, arrived with head coach Jay Wright to Villanova in 2001. Gunning had also served under Wright at Hofstra, and was an undergraduate at Villanova from 1990 to 1992 while Wright assisted head coach Rollie Massimino.

Gunning will join the Rockets as director of player development.

"It's always been a dream of mine to coach in the NBA and this was an exciting opportunity that I couldn't pass up," said Gunning. "It wasn't an easy decision to leave Villanova, but I will always be grateful for the time spent here and the many great people I got to know."

Wright cited Gunning as a key component of the program's recent success. Gunning helped recruit and develop former Villanova stars Kyle Lowry, Allan Ray, and Randy Foye.

"Brett has been an integral part of our Villanova basketball family over the last seven years and an important part of our success," said Wright.

"He is one of the game's bright young coaches and made a great impact on our program. We will miss him, but it's always exciting when a member of our staff has the chance to pursue their dream, and this opportunity in Houston allows Brett to do that. He'll always be a Wildcat to us, though."