Houston Rockets third-round pick Reed Sheppard shined with the team at the Las Vegas Summer League last month, impressing many associated with the league.
ESPN surveyed “a panel of NBA experts, including reporters, editors and analysts” to select “its top three picks for the NBA’s six major awards, with one first-place vote receiving five points, one second-place vote receiving three points and one third-place vote receiving one point.”
Sheppard topped the rookie of the year voting with 74 points and 62 percent of the first-place votes.
“Victor Wembanyama won the Rookie of the Year award last season, but after a non-consensus draft pick for the top pick, the race for this year’s award is wide open heading into the 2024-25 campaign,” ESPN writes“Sheppard, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, led the vote this season after a breakout performance in Summer League. He averaged 20.0 points, 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game in Las Vegas and should fit into a Rockets team poised to make a playoff run.”
Memphis Grizzlies center and ninth overall pick Zach Edey came in second with 40 points and 14 percent of the first-place vote, while Portland Trail Blazers big man and seventh overall pick Donovan Clingan finished third with 27 points and 10 percent of the first-place vote.
Want to join the discussion? Like Rockets on SI on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with all the latest Rockets news. You can also meet the team behind the cover.
