Why Reed Sheppard Will Be the Best Rookie in This Year’s Class
The number three pick looks like the best player in this year’s draft so far, something that isn’t unusual in the NBA. This year’s NBA champion Celtics were led by number three picks Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who in hindsight were the best players in their respective drafts. Reed Sheppard so far in Summer League looks like he has a great shot of following in their footsteps. What does that mean long-term for Sheppard? Being the best player in a weak draft class could mean simply being a great role player, but I believe the Rockets guard can become more than that.
While it’s easy to overreact to Summer League, Reed Sheppard has shown so far in a few games that he has star potential on a loaded young Houston roster. On a team full of athletic, lengthy wings good at getting to the basket, Sheppard has a unique skill set for the team. In college, he averaged 12.5 points, four rebounds, and four and a half assists per game in his one season. He also shot an insane 52% from three. The Rockets as a team ranked 23rd in three-point percentage and overall were middle of the pack on offense. Sheppard’s all-around play as a combo guard should benefit the team a lot this coming season. If the six-foot-three guard can defend solidly, then he should get plenty of playing time as a rookie.
In Summer League, Reed Sheppard has averages of 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The current starting point guard for the Rockets is Fred VanVleet, and while Sheppard doesn’t profile as a typical point guard, his play in Summer League has shown he can potentially take over for the veteran guard in the near future. VanVleet has one year left and a team option on his contract, so depending on the development of Sheppard, he could be elevated into the starting lineup by next season.
Comparing Reed Sheppard to the rest of his draft class, a lot of the players profile more as role players. Even top pick Zaccarie Risacher seems to profile less as a potential star and more as an elite role player, like an OG Anunoby for example. Sheppard seems to have more star potential given his scoring skill set. To me, Alex Sarr seems like the most likely player to rival Sheppard for best player in this draft class, as he is a 7-foot-1 shot-blocking machine that could develop into a three-point shooter. Think of guys like Kristaps Porzingis, Chet Holmgren, or even Victor Wembanyama. However, given Sarr’s early struggles and Sheppard’s early success, I give the nod to Sheppard as the guy with the highest potential to be a star player in this draft class. If he can overcome his size limitations and develop his point guard skills, the sky's the limit.
