Inside The Rockets

Rockets' Rookie Reed Sheppard Seen Working out with NBA All-Star

Trae Young and Reed Sheppard have been in the gym getting ready for the season.

Jed Katz

Jul 12, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) during the first half at the Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) during the first half at the Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports / Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Houston Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard was seen working out with NBA All-Star Trae Young. The No. 3 overall pick out of Kentucky was in gym at Sports Academy getting shots up as training camp approaches.

Sheppard and Young are similar in terms of frame. Sheppard is 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, while Young is 6-foot-1 and 164 pounds. Both are undersized guards, and will be trusted to handle the ball this season for their respective teams.

Young is the franchise point guard in Atlanta, while Sheppard will likely come off the bench in Houston. However, both are elite shooters, and Sheppard has the potential to be great. Young posted a video on social media highlighting the two's work ethic.

Sheppard shot 52.1% from deep at Kentucky last season, making him the best shooter in the draft. The London, KY native still has Rookie of the Year expectations, despite being expected to come off the bench. Training with Young will improve his tools in terms of being a true point guard.

With the Wildcats, Sheppard played most of their offensive possessions on the wing. He came off the bench for most of the season and shared time with point guards D.J. Wagner and Rob Dillingham. With the Rockets, he will get to showcase his playmaking abilities, along with his two-way potential.

Through summer league, Sheppard averaged 20.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks. With that stat line, plus workouts with top NBA talent, Sheppard will have high hopes and expectations going into his rookie year.

Want to join the discussion? Like Rockets on SI Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Rockets news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.

Published
Jed Katz

JED KATZ

Jed is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in journalism. He also contributes at several other basketball outlets, including has his own basketball blog and podcast — The Sixth Man Report.

Home/News