Reed Sheppard received widespread praise after dazzling with the Houston Rockets in the summer league, and the third pick received another compliment Wednesday. This time, from his teammate Amen Thompson.
Sheppard was named to the NBA All-Summer League First Team after averaging 20 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.3 blocks on 50 percent shooting in four games. He finished ninth in scoring among all players in the desert.
The 20-year-old trained with the team last month in a mini-camp organized by Jalen Green in Los Angeles, California. The race was likely one of his first opportunities to get on the field with the full roster, which left an impression on Thompson.
“He’s very composed,” Thompson said at a Patriot Day event honoring Houston’s first responders, by Jackson Gatlin of Locked on Rockets“He has the same range as Stephen Curry. That’s the first thing you notice. He’s a very composed player and a very good guy, so I’m very impressed.”
Sheppard was named the SEC Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals on 52.1 percent three-point shooting last season at Kentucky. He led the nation in three-point percentage and was the only player to record at least 145 assists, 80 steals and 75 three-pointers.
The 6-foot-3 goalie enters the season second in the rookie of the year rankings, just behind Atlanta Hawks Before Zaccharie RisacherHe has the potential to make an impact at the next level and should have the opportunity to compete for rotation minutes.
Sheppard has proven to be one of the best freshmen in Las Vegas and will enter the year with high expectations. He appears to be making a name for himself early on.
This article was originally published on Rookie Wire: Rockets News: Amen Thompson Praises Reed Sheppard
