Courtesy: Vermont Athletic Communications

HOUSTON -- Former University of Vermont men's basketball standout Marqus Blakely has agreed to a three-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. Blakely will be in uniform for the Rockets tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves (8 p.m. EST) in the regular season finale, as he will become the first Catamount to suit up for a NBA regular season game.

Blakely was most recently with the Iowa Energy in the NBA Development League after starting the season with Bakersfield of the D-league. In 49 games this year he averaged 15 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. This past fall he also attended the Los Angeles Clippers training camp before being one of the last players cut.

The two-time Kevin Roberson America East Player of the Year and three-time America East Defensive Player of the Year, Blakely paced the Catamounts in the America East Championship Game as a senior with 24 points, 18 rebounds and five assists on his way to earning the Reggie Lewis Most Outstanding Player honor.

The 2010 State Farm College Slam Dunk Champion, Blakely finished his Catamount career ranked fifth all-time at Vermont in scoring (1,875), second in rebounding (1,044) and steals (226), third in blocks (254), and 10th in assists (304). He helped lead Vermont to a 25-10 record as a senior and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Following the season Blakely was also one of only 64 seniors in the nation to take part in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, helping lead his team to a championship.