Still, Stone’s demeanor early Tuesday evening exuded confidence. Perhaps it stemmed from the season the Rockets just completed, as rookie Jalen Green took notable strides over the last few months and showed glimpses of being a capable torchbearer. Perhaps it was the notion that this 2023 class, though without a notorious heavy hitter like in years past, still was ripe with quality at the top — and Houston was guaranteed at least a top-five selection. Whatever it was, Stone didn’t seem the least bit apprehensive.
