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Houston Rockets General Manager Carroll Dawson announced today that the team has signed second-round draft pick Steve Novak to a multi-year contract. The Rockets selected the Marquette forward with the 32nd overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, which was a choice previously acquired from the New York Knicks.

Novak (6-10, 220, Marquette) averaged 16.0 points and 4.4 rebounds, while shooting .429 (15-35 3FG) from 3-point range over five games with the Rockets in the 2006 Toshiba Vegas Summer League. In his first game vs. Portland (7/6/06), Novak scored 22 points on 8-of-12 (.667) shooting, including a 6-for-8 (.750) performance from beyond the 3-point line. He also registered 20 points in a 93-90 win over Denver (7/7/06).

As a collegian, Novak set the school record with 354 career 3-pointers made (.461, 354-768 3FG), surpassing Travis Diener for the top spot in Marquette annals. He also finished 10th on the all-time school chart for career points (1,567) and became the sixth player in Marquette history to reach career marks of 1,500 points and 500 rebounds (524).

As a senior, Novak averaged a career-best 17.5 points to earn unanimous First-Team All-Big East selection. He topped the Big East in 3-point field goal percentage (.467, 121-259 3FG) and 3-pointers made per game (3.90), as well as finishing sixth in scoring (17.5). Novak also led the team in free throw shooting (.974, 74-76 FT) in 2005-06.

The 6-foot-10 senior set career highs in points (41) and rebounds (16) vs. Connecticut (1/3/06). He also set the Marquette record with 68 consecutive free throws made. Novak was named the Great Alaska Shootout MVP after recording 51 total points and tying the Shootout Championship Game record with six 3-pointers vs. South Carolina (11/26/05).

Overall, he recorded six 3-pointers in nine contests in 2005-06. Novak also ranked sixth in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (.461) as a junior.

In addition, Novak earned Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors and C-USA Sixth Man of the Year in 2002-03.

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