With second-year center Yao Ming not due in Houston until next month and Jason Collier's Rockets career over, the Rockets will add depth at center at least for training camp by signing center Peter Cornell today, a source said Tuesday.

Cornell, 6-11, 245, played for the North Charleston Lowgators of the National Basketball Development League last season, averaging 8.8 points and six rebounds. Cornell has been in training camp with the Magic and Nets and has played in the American Basketball Association, United States Basketball League and in Yugoslavia.

Cornell, 27, played at Loyola Marymount and will sign a non-guaranteed contract with the Rockets.

Training camp for players with three or fewer seasons of experience begins Sept. 29. Yao, playing in an Olympic qualifying tournament for the Chinese national team, is not expected to join the Rockets until the first week of October. Second-round pick Malick Badiane is scheduled to return to the German pro league for another season.

Via Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets

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