The Houston Rockets are a workforce on the rise after they considerably improved throughout the 2023-24 NBA season.
After signing veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks final offseason, the Rockets got here inside earshot of creating the Play-In Match and competing for a postseason spot.
Though they only missed the reduce, Houston was awarded with the No. 3 general decide within the 2024 NBA Draft and used it on Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard.
Sheppard is a bit undersized and lacks elite athleticism, however he’s a professional outdoors shooter who can rating each on and off the ball and is a artful playmaker as properly.
The previous Wildcat is a worthy participant so as to add to the rotation as he’s received a excessive ground and will develop right into a high-end beginning guard.
Sheppard’s additionally received the good thing about studying below VanVleet and he admitted how unimaginable the chance is by way of SiriusXM NBA Radio.
“Being able to learn from him is going to be unbelievable,” Sheppard mentioned.
“Being able to learn from him is going to be unbelievable.”
Reed Sheppard (@reed_sheppard) has excessive reward for Fred VanVleet
The @HoustonRockets chosen Reed with the third decide within the #NBADraft!
Watch the complete interview https://t.co/AeKXxF6783 pic.twitter.com/rv9bP57aw8
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 30, 2024
VanVleet is a well-liked comparability for Sheppard given their measurement and skillsets, so it’ll be fascinating to see how a lot the rookie can take in from his veteran mentor over the following couple of seasons.
The Rockets are nonetheless a methods away from competing within the Western Convention, although their younger core of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jalen Inexperienced, Jabari Smith Jr. and Sheppard is an thrilling group to construct round.
Assuming issues go in keeping with plan and the core develops steadily throughout their time collectively, Houston might be a professional risk down the road.
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