Reed

Sheppard

Sheppard struggled in his preseason debut, so it was encouraging to see him play better in this game. He had a fantastic Summer League, and the expectations for his rookie year are high, even if he’ll likely play a limited role due to the amount of talent that they have on their roster. He’s worth taking a chance on with a pick in the final rounds of drafts, but his impact this season doesn’t compare to his value in dynasty leagues.

There has been a lot of hype surrounding Sheppard, and this was a nice reminder that he’s still a rookie. Sure, the defensive numbers were great, but only four points and zero 3-pointers in 20 minutes isn’t great. Still, it was only his first game, so it’s difficult to be too critical. Dynasty managers will continue to keep a close eye on him, and while he is worth a late round dart throw in redraft leagues, the expectations should be low early on.

Sheppard has had a fantastic summer, but this wasn’t his best game. He turned the ball over nine times and didn’t knock down a single 3-pointer. Still, despite those struggles, Sheppard was still able to stuff the stat sheet across the board. He has flashed superstar potential this summer, and he has a fantasy-friendly game. The biggest question for his rookie season will be how many minutes he gets, and if it’s enough to impact fantasy. If he does have a decent-sized role, he will be worth a late-round pick.

Like Cam Whitmore, it’s time to ask if Sheppard needs to play anymore during summer league. The rookie guard has looked ready for the moment, finding his spots offensively and adequately navigating the balance of scoring and setting up teammates. Sheppard has also defended very well, which is no surprise given how well he attacked passing lanes during his lone season at Kentucky. The Rockets got themselves a good one with the third overall pick.

The freshman guard only started five games during his time at Kentucky, but he was still incredibly effective on both ends of the floor. In 28.9 minutes per game, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.3 triples per game, shooting 53.6% from the floor and 52.1% from beyond the arc. Sheppard also recorded a 42” vertical at the combine, adding to his impressive resume. He showcased just how valuable he can be as a two-way stud, and if his numbers translate, he will be an elite asset in fantasy basketball. Where he fits into Houston’s rotation is still an unknown, as he’ll compete for minutes with Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore among others.