Van Gundy chooses the Houston Rockets

HOUSTON, June 9 (UPI) -- Houston Rockets General Mmanager Carroll Dawson has confirmed that Van Gundy called him Monday and accepted the team's coaching job.

The former coach of the New York Knicks spent two days in Houston last week meeting with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and Dawson and said he would give the team an answer by Monday or Tuesday.

That answer came on Monday for the Rockets, who then worked out compensation with the Knicks since Van Gundy is technically under contract with New York through July 31. He stepped down as Knicks coach 19 games into the 2001-02 season.

The New York Daily News reported Monday that the Knicks asked the Rockets for a second-round draft pick and a guarantee of at least two exhibition games that will bring Houston center Yao Ming to Madison Square Garden.

The Rockets have been searching for a coach since Rudy Tomjanovich stepped down on May 23 after 12 seasons.