Reed Sheppard Embarks on First G League Adventure
A New Beginning for Reed Sheppard
This week marks a significant milestone for Reed Sheppard fans who've been following his journey since his days lighting up the summer league. The Houston Rockets have decided to assign Sheppard, the third overall pick in the highly competitive 2024 NBA Draft, to their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
The Vipers have a challenging schedule ahead, including back-to-back games against the Oklahoma City Blue on Tuesday and Thursday and wrapping up the week with a clash against the Iowa Wolves on Saturday. As the young guard prepares to bolster the Vipers, the Houston Rockets continue their own busy stretch of road games, squaring off against the Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks.
Understanding the Decision
This G League assignment is Sheppard’s first, and it's meant to provide him with some much-needed playing time, given his limited action in the NBA season so far. He saw a brief four-minute stint on December 27 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and scraped together just five minutes during a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics. Clearly, the need for more consistent playtime is driving this move.
Despite these challenges, the Houston Rockets are boasting a 23-12 record, securing the second spot in the Western Conference standings. Notably, their defense stands strong, ranking third across the league. And while the Rockets soar high, Sheppard's development seems to be taking a more scenic route—one that figures to involve honing skills and gaining confidence in the G League environment.
Sheppard's Current Stats and Prospects
At 20 years old, standing 6-foot-2, and weighing 185 pounds, Sheppard's introduction to professional basketball is in its nascent stages. His shooting proficiency remains a work-in-progress, reflected in a 3-point shooting percentage of just 27.9%. Furthermore, his current usage rate holds at 15.7%, suggesting the potential for greater contribution once he finds his rhythm.
Sheppard initially shared the backcourt with fellow rookie Amen Thompson, combining for only 151 non-garbage-time minutes without another guard on the floor. This partnership with Thompson might provide glimpses of what's to come, should they establish chemistry and synergy when given more floor time together.
As Reed Sheppard embarks on his G League journey with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Rockets fans and basketball enthusiasts alike will keep a keen eye on the young talent, hopeful that this developmental stint paves the way for greater things to come. Whether this assignment becomes a launchpad for a breakout season remains to be seen, but it surely promises growth and learning along the way.