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LAS VEGAS, Nevada \u2014 Just three games into the NBA Summer League, 2024 NBA Draft pick (No. 3 overall) Reed Sheppard has already made a name for himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheppard has been a standout player for the Houston Rockets, leading them to a 2-1 record with impressive averages of 20 points, 4.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While many rookies are still adjusting to the NBA level, Sheppard has shown composure and skill, scoring over 20 points in two of his first three games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s basketball,\u201d Sheppard said. \u201cThere\u2019s highs and lows, nobody\u2019s perfect. So just keeping a positive mindset through it all and going out and having fun, playing basketball the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 20 year-old North Laurel High School and University of Kentucky star has adjusted well. After a slow start in Houston\u2019s opener against Los Angeles, Sheppard stole the spotlight from second rounder Bronny James, scoring a game-high 23 points while finishing with five assists, four rebounds, three blocks and a steal. He was +21 in his team\u2019s 99-80 win over the Lakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheppard\u2019s dad Jeff, who has been able to watch Reed play in Las Vegas, likes what he has seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHouston is a great fit for Reed,\u201d he said. \u201cCoach (Ime) Udoka is a great fit for Reed. He\u2019s a tough coach for Reed that demands effort and attention to detail. That\u2019s a good thing for Reed. I think the players at summer league that are not, and playing watching Reed play, are excited that he may bring some things to the Rockets they might not have. I think they\u2019re excited about it. It\u2019s really nice seeing him do some really cool stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheppard continued his impressive play against the Washington Wizards with Houston rolling to an easy 109-91 win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He finished with 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor while dishing out seven assists. He also grabbed six rebounds while recording five steals and one block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy,\u201d Jeff Sheppard said. \u201cI\u2019m really pleased from start to finish, not only Houston as an organization has treated and welcomed Reed, but also impressed with the NBA as a hole. With introductory meetings and a lot of the educational forces they have had from the pre draft process, combine and the lottery process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of fun and I tip my hat to the Houston Rockets organization, from top to bottom,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheppard did have some struggles during the Rockets\u2019 first loss of the season on Monday, a 87-73 setback to Detroit, but still put up an impressive stat line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He scored 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting from the floor, including 0-for-2 from 3-point range. Sheppard grabbed four rebounds and finished with two assists and six fouls during his 36 minutes of action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t like to lose, I don\u2019t think anyone does, so I\u2019m not very happy,\u201d he said after his team\u2019s matchup with the Pistons. \u201cIt\u2019s something I will learn from and the team will learn from as well. It\u2019s a learning experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Houston will be back in action Thursday with an 11 p.m. matchup against Minnesota. ESPN and ESPN+ will carry the game. Sheppard will face-off against former Kentucky teammate, and now Timberwolve, Rob Dillingham, with hopes of grabbing a win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe beauty of the summer league is you gotta to learn and you\u2019ve got to figure things out,\u201d Sheppard said. \u201cWhen you get to the regular season, they\u2019ll have other plays and schemes. This is summer league, it\u2019s a lot of fun and you know, you get out there to compete.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheppard\u2019s continued improvement is due to hard work and effort, according to his father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jeff Sheppard said Reed has put a lot of work in to continue to improve his game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n