Inside The Rockets

Rockets Rookie May Earn Promotion Soon

The Houston Rockets may decide to start Reed Sheppard at some point.

Jeremy Brener

Oct 23, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) dribbles the ball as Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) defends during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Oct 23, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) dribbles the ball as Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) defends during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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Houston Rockets rookie guard Reed Sheppard is only three games into his career, but he has shown a lot of growth already.

Sheppard, 20, is averaging 3.3 points per game so far this season, as he is dipping his toes into the waters of professional basketball.

Bleacher Report writer Grant Hughes believes Sheppard could enter the starting lineup if he continues along this trajectory.

"Sheppard can contribute immensely disruptive defensive work in the backcourt, knockdown shooting from deep and plenty of playmaking to boot. If Green falters or VanVleet suddenly looks old, the rookie could step right in and steal a job," Hughes writes.

Given how hot Jalen Green has been to start the season, Sheppard will have to do a whole lot to unseat him in the starting lineup, but the season is incredibly young and there's a lot of time left to go.

In order for Sheppard to eventually move into the starting lineup, he has to simply take every opportunity he gets and make the most of it. Eventually as the season moves along, the Rockets will need to rely on their depth a little more and players like Sheppard will be counted on.

When his number is called for a bigger role than what he has, Sheppard will be ready to go.

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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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