Inside The Rockets

Rockets Rookie Reed Sheppard Dazzles in Home Debut

Reed Sheppard showed out for the local Houston Rockets fans.
Jeremy Brener|
Oct 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) handles the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Oct 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) handles the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images

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Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard has captured the attention of fans throughout the offseason as the No. 3 overall pick from June's draft has shown a ton of promise going into his first NBA season.

Sheppard, 21, had the chance to play in front of the home crowd for the first time in the Rockets' 118-98 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans.

“It was good to get out and play in the first home game with the guys,” Sheppard said via Rockets Wire reporter Brian Barefield. “All around, it was a good game.”

Sheppard scored nine points off the bench while picking up two steals in the win, a sign that he can contribute on both ends of the floor.

Sheppard is entering a crowded rotation in his first season in Houston, which can be a blessing and a curse for the Kentucky guard. He'll have a chance to learn behind veteran point guard Fred VanVleet and compete for playing time, but he may not get as much of an opportunity as he would have in other landing spots.

That being said, Sheppard may play too well to the point where coach Ime Udoka will have to give him some minutes, and that's a great problem for him and the team to have in the upcoming season.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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