The NBA 2k25 Summer League got off to a hot start with the debut of the Houston Rocket’s No. 3 pick, Reed Sheppard. The former Kentucky Wildcat finished his 2023-24 season with 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Many mock drafts agreed that Sheppard would end up the third pick and would be a perfect fit for this young Rockets team.
The 20-year-old guard will most likely find himself in a key role for the team as they look to become contenders soon. With the help of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, this could become a reality for this Houston Rockets team. Adding Sheppard could be exactly what they need to reach the playoffs. His Summer League debut might be all the proof fans need to believe he can help get them there.
Reed Sheppard Shoots Lights Out
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Sheppard’s logo three was just one highlight from tonight. It was an off the dribble shot, and you could tell it was going in the minute it left his hands. He’d continue a hot streak from three, going 4-6 in the game. What made this shot even more impressive was the clear confidence he had when he took it. There was zero hesitation. Once he saw the defender go under the screen, he knew that he was getting a bucket.
Every other three-pointer he took was with that same confidence. It didn’t matter if a defender was directly in front of him; there was no pause in his flow. To continue, the young guard also went 9-17 from the field and 1-2 from the free throw line, making his point total 23. He would end the game leading in scoring for his team.
Not only did he go on a scoring tear, but he also had five assists. His passes were clean and met their target. One pass that stuck out was a dime to the post for a baseline cut. Reed Sheppard read the defense perfectly and placed the pass slightly ahead of Cam Whitmore, so it was easy for him to collect and score.
Sheppard’s Defensive Show
The rookie from Kentucky didn’t just play great on offense. He also had a great defensive game, as seen by his stats. Sheppard ended the night with three blocks and a steal. One of these blocks was on Tommy Kuhse, who ended up getting the upper hand on Reed Sheppard for a moment. Kuhse managed to blow past him. However, the rookie didn’t abandon the play and instead got in the position to block the shot. This is a great sign for the Rockets as it shows the guard’s work ethic.
Sheppard’s steal occurred at the start of the second half. He entered the game at the 10-minute mark and immediately picked the ball off of Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James. This steal would lead to a two on the other end by Nate Williams. Here, we see how this rookie is already helping his team outside of scoring. This would continue to occur in the fourth quarter as he blocked a shot from Dalton Knecht that would also lead to a Rocket’s basket.
What to Look For in Game Two
After his fantastic Summer League debut, fans can expect another great night from Sheppard as the Rockets prepare to face the Washington Wizards next. The Lakers actually played some decent defense against the rookie despite what his stats say. There were a few plays where James Jr. actually locked Sheppard up and caused him to miss or turnover the ball. If the Wizards defense can’t do this, chances are we could see a 30-point night from the guard.
It would be great to see Sheppard continue to shine on defense. Watching him hit from the logo is fun, but seeing him hustle to make a defensive play is even better. Fans should hope to see more of this in the upcoming game. A player who can shine on both ends of the court is always the most dangerous. This Houston Rockets team might be a very difficult opponent this summer.
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