Reed Sheppard's Sophomore Jump!

Reed Sheppard aims for a big leap this season. He finished the preseason strong, scoring 29 points against the Atlanta Hawks. With Fred VanVleet's season-ending injury, he could have a big season and be a starter on this team. With the Western Conference stacked, Reed could have a huge role in Houston looking good.

Author

Syed Shah
October 18, 2025

The Houston Rockets suffered a big blow when former champion Fred VanVleet hurt his ACL. This has led to talks about whether the Rockets can compete without their starting point guard. Now that the season has started, discussions have picked up surrounding Reed Sheppard. The preseason has been successful for the second-year player, as he scored 29 points, 6 assists, and rebounds. Reed looks like he is ready to be a rotational player this year. Next week, the Houston Rockets will likely start their 21-year-old point guard. They hope this move helps them compete for a title.

Rafael Stone and Tilman Fertitta have done a good job since the post-James Harden era. The Rockets have a young roster, plus a future Hall of Famer: Kevin Durant. The mix of veterans and young players makes this team a force in the West. The Rockets aim to reach the Western Conference Finals, so they’ve built a strong roster. With the major injury Fred VanVleet dealt with, Reed has looked great in the preseason. It feels like he is ready to make that major jump. He is ready to prove why he was drafted high in last year's draft.

Reed Sheppard has shown some wonderful flashes this season. With his ability to create his shot and set up players for theirs. The 21-year-old knows how to use pick-and-rolls to create shots for himself or make a good pass. He’s great at shooting threes and can hit floaters, which can help him finish strong at the rim. And Reed's ability to play off-ball helps him play off of Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun. Reed Sheppard has shown good flashes in his ability to play off the established players on the team. The Rockets are a crazy team already, and Reed looks like a stud on the court.

The Western Conference is packed this year. Teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Thunder aim for the finals. With Fred VanVleet injured, many wonder if Houston can still compete. But with the pre-season, that conversation has started to die down. Reed Sheppard looks like a starting-caliber player this year. The 21-year-old can be big in making a push for a championship run. The Rockets have a blend of young and old players. With opportunities rising for Reed Sheppard, he could have a great season.

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