Reed Sheppard should hit the ground running for Rockets

Reed Sheppard was selected to the All-Summer League First Team for his exceptional performances in Las Vegas. The third overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft averaged 20 points per game while shooting 50% from the field, emerging as a genuine star of the tournament. 

Ime Udoka will likely want to ensure Sheppard gets legitimate playing time in his rookie season. He's a top-three draft pick who shined in his first taste of professional-level basketball. 

"Sheppard started at point guard for four games and is expected to be a backup option to Fred VanVleet," The Athletic's Law Murray wrote. 

"Sheppard made All-Summer League First Team by scoring 20 points per game on 50 percent shooting. He only hit 27.8 percent of his 3s, with 4.8 turnovers per game, but he made plays defensively while playing a heavy on-ball role offensively."

Over the past 12 months, the Rockets have been positioning themselves to become a playoff-level team. However, the internal development of Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green will determine how quickly the franchise reaches that goal. Sheppard will undoubtedly give the front office cause for optimism that they have another potential star.

Furthermore, there should be hope that Sheppard's perimeter scoring levels out once he's used to the pace and physicality of the professional game. He shot 52.1% from deep during his lone season with the Kentucky Wildcats. 

Sheppard has given himself the ideal platform heading into his rookie season. He has a significant amount of momentum behind him and has already begun building a fanbase within Houston. While summer league play rarely dictates NBA success, its confidence boost can be invaluable.

Udoka is known for elevating his players and bringing the best out of them. He has a shot at developing a high-level guard for the future. However, it all starts with this rookie season. Sheppard must harness the confidence he developed in Vegas and store it for the ups and downs to come.