Inside The Rockets

Rockets' Reed Sheppard Struggling to Find Role

Reed Sheppard is learning a lot with the Houston Rockets.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 5, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) defends against Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
Dec 5, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) defends against Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images / John Hefti-Imagn Images
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Houston Rockets rookie guard Reed Sheppard has cracked the rotation, but he hasn't carved out much of a role to start his career.

The No. 3 overall pick from the 2024 NBA Draft is averaging 3.7 points per game while playing just under 12 minutes per contest.

Bleacher Report writer Grant Hughes graded every team's rookie class and gave Sheppard and the Rockets a "D+".

"The Rockets have been among the West's best teams, and it's hard to argue Sheppard deserves to play ahead of Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson or Jalen Green. If head coach Ime Udoka would expand his rotation (which currently features seven players logging at least 22.0 minutes per game), maybe Sheppard could get enough time to catch a rhythm. But with Houston firmly in win-now mode, it's going to take an injury for Sheppard to get any real action," Hughes writes.

"While it's way too early to say Sheppard is a bust, it's increasingly clear he's not going to provide the instant boost some expected after an incredible collegiate season. The No. 3 pick has been a non-factor. That's objectively disappointing."

Sheppard's lack of production isn't his fault because he plays on a contending team, but if he is given an opportunity to contribute more soon, it will be interesting to see how he responds.

Sheppard and the Rockets play the Toronto Raptors tonight at 5 p.m. CT.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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