Sheppard makes case as draft's best prospect
Sheppard, the No. 3 pick, topped my stats-based projections for this year's draft and showed exactly why during his first two games. After scoring 23 points against the
Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, Sheppard followed that performance up with 22 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 5 steals against Sarr and the Wizards on Sunday.
After scoring 20-plus points just seven times in 33 games at Kentucky, Sheppard has already done it in each of his first two outings as a pro. Sheppard's ability to get where he wants with the ball and create separation with a hard crossover has stood out.
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Reed Sheppard shines in debut with 23 points
No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard impresses in his summer league debut with 23 points in a Rockets win over the Lakers.
We already knew Sheppard, who hit 52% of his 3s from the college line, was a powerful shooter. He hit from a listed 27 feet during Sunday's third quarter, which also saw Sheppard score nine points on 4-of-6 shooting and a pair of assists.
Defensively, Sheppard's active hands constantly generate deflections. Sheppard had three blocks Friday and racked up a pair of pick-six steals Sunday.
Sheppard joins a crowded Houston backcourt with starters
Jalen Green and
Fred VanVleet, along with 2023 lottery pick
Amen Thompson and veteran
Aaron Holiday. If Sheppard's play in Vegas so far is any indication, however, he'll force his way into regular playing time as a rookie.
-- Pelton
espn.com
