Reed Sheppard named NBA All-Summer League First Team

Posted by author July 23, 2024 NBA

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Reed Sheppard didn’t even need to play his final Summer League game to secure his spot as a top overall performer.

On Monday afternoon, the NBA announced its two All-Summer League teams where Sheppard was named to the First Team. Drafted by the Houston Rockets with the No. 3 overall pick in June, Sheppard lit up Las Vegas throughout his four games played. He averaged 20 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 33.1 minutes per outing. The former Kentucky Wildcat shot 50 percent from the floor, 27.8 percent from deep, and 75 percent from the free throw line.

Sheppard was joined on the First Team by GG Jackson II (Grizzlies), Jordan Miller (Clippers), Scotty Pippen Jr. (Grizzlies), and Kel’el Ware (Heat). The Second Team consisted of Bub Carrington (Wizards), Donovan Clingan (Trail Blazers), Jaime Jacquez Jr. (Heat), Jarace Walker (Pacers), and Jalen Wilson (Nets).

Particularly in his first two Summer League games, Sheppard was arguably the most impressive player in all of Las Vegas. The 6-foot-3 guard went for 23 points (9-17 FG), five assists, four rebounds, and three blocks in his debut before dropping 22 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and five steals in game two — both wins for Houston.

Unfortunately, his shooting numbers trailed off in the following two contests, which ended up as losses for the Rockets. But Sheppard still found ways to impact the game without putting the ball in the basket. And despite missing the Rockets’ fifth and final Summer League game, his body of work in Summer League was more than enough to secure him a spot on the First Team.

Sheppard now sits on the second-best odds to win 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year, according to FanDuel, at +700. He trails only Zach Edey (+600) of the Memphis Grizzlies.