At 21, Reed Sheppard isn’t just playing for the Houston Rockets—he’s exposing a systemic failure across the NBA. Once dismissed as a risky draft pick with "major concerns," Sheppard has become the engine of Houston’s bench, shooting 53.2% from three-point range in November 2025 and turning the Rockets into a top-5 offensive unit when he’s on the floor. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards, who passed on him in the 2024 draft, are still searching for answers in their backcourts. The twist? Sheppard didn’t magically appear. He was cultivated—by a system that sees potential where others saw flaws.
The Draft That Got Away
When the Atlanta Hawks picked French center Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick in June 2024, they weren’t just choosing a project—they were passing on a proven shooter. Sheppard, who shot 52.5% from deep at the University of Kentucky under John Calipari, was the most efficient guard in college basketball that season. The Washington Wizards didn’t fare much better. With the 37th pick, they selected Arizona guard Boogie Ellis, a solid athlete but not a shooter. Sheppard slipped to No. 41. No one thought he’d be a starter. Not even the Rockets, at first.
The Rocket Fuel: Durant, Sengun, and the Gravity Effect
Here’s what made Houston’s approach different: they didn’t force Sheppard into a role. They let him ride the coattails of greatness. With Kevin Durant (36) and Alperen Sengun (22) commanding double-teams, Sheppard found open space like a heat-seeking missile. His 7-game stretch before his first start on November 18, 2025, saw him average 17.3 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 steals while shooting 57% from the field and 53.2% from deep. He didn’t just shoot—he thrived under pressure. In a 27-point outburst against the Denver Nuggets on November 12, 2025, he dropped 18 points in the fourth quarter alone, hitting 7 of 10 shots, including 4 of 6 from three. That’s 40% of Houston’s total points at one stretch.
Coach Udoka’s Quiet Revolution
Ime Udoka, the Rockets’ head coach since 2023, didn’t gloat. He just nodded. "The real thing is the opportunity he’s getting, and he’s taking advantage of it," Udoka told The Athletic. "We needed him to take that step this year. He’s really been great." That’s the quiet confidence of a coach who trusts his system. Unlike Atlanta’s Quin Snyder or Washington’s Brian Keefe, who’ve cycled through guards trying to fix a broken shooting model, Udoka built around Sheppard’s strengths. He’s not a volume shooter—he’s a rhythm shooter. And the Rockets gave him the space to find it.
What the Hawks and Wizards Are Missing
Compare Sheppard’s 47.1% three-point shooting through November 2025 to Washington’s Jordan Poole (32.7% in 2024-25) or Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter (36.8% last season). Neither has shown the defensive tenacity Sheppard brings—2.1 steals per game, often guarding the opponent’s best perimeter threat. The Hawks have spent two years trying to turn Risacher into a playmaker. The Wizards are still hoping Poole will rediscover his 2022 form. Meanwhile, Sheppard’s streak of seven straight games with multiple threes ended only because he missed his first five shots in his first start. Even then, he dished out five assists. That’s the difference between drafting for need versus drafting for fit.
The Ripple Effect: A Winning Streak and a New Standard
When Sheppard plays more than 20 minutes, the Rockets’ net rating improves by +6.0 points per 100 possessions. They’ve won eight straight games during stretches where he’s been a key rotation piece. The Houston Rockets aren’t just winning—they’re building a blueprint. Sheppard’s development isn’t an outlier. It’s evidence. Evidence that player evaluation isn’t about athleticism or highlight reels. It’s about how you use space, how you read defenses, how you respond to trust.
What’s Next for Sheppard—and the NBA?
Sheppard himself knows he’s not done. After his career-high game, he told reporters: "I think it’s important, um, just because, you know, kind of be more of a just a three-point shooter." He’s already working on his mid-range. That’s the mindset of a player who knows the game’s evolution. The Houston Rockets aren’t just winning games—they’re setting a new standard for how teams should develop young guards. The Hawks and Wizards? They’re left wondering what they missed. And the league? It’s watching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Hawks and Wizards pass on Reed Sheppard?
Both teams prioritized size and athleticism over shooting efficiency. Atlanta chose Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick, betting on a 6’9" center with upside, while Washington selected Boogie Ellis in the second round, hoping for a playmaker. Sheppard’s slight frame (6’1", 175 lbs) and lack of elite athleticism led scouts to question his NBA viability—overlooking his 52.5% three-point shooting in college and elite defensive instincts.
How has Sheppard’s game evolved since joining the Rockets?
Sheppard has gone from a spot-up shooter to a dynamic offensive weapon. His usage rate has increased by 38% since November, and he’s now creating his own shot more frequently—his mid-range game has improved noticeably. He’s also become a trusted defender, averaging 2.1 steals per game and guarding multiple positions. His basketball IQ, honed under John Calipari, allowed him to thrive in Houston’s spacing-heavy system.
What role do Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun play in Sheppard’s success?
Durant and Sengun are the gravitational anchors. Durant draws double-teams even when standing still, while Sengun’s passing from the high post forces defenses to collapse. That creates open threes for Sheppard—nearly 70% of his made shots this season have been assisted. The Rockets’ system doesn’t force him to create; it lets him capitalize on chaos. That’s why his efficiency is so high.
Is Sheppard a candidate for Most Improved Player?
Absolutely. He’s on pace to be the first player since 2019 to average over 17 points and shoot 47% from three on at least 5 attempts per game. His defensive impact, combined with his scoring leap, makes him a top contender. No other player in the league has gone from a second-round afterthought to a rotation cornerstone this quickly.
How does Houston’s development system differ from Atlanta’s and Washington’s?
Houston prioritizes situational growth over raw tools. They don’t force young players into roles—they find roles that fit their strengths. Atlanta and Washington rely heavily on veteran veterans to carry young talent, often without tailored development plans. Sheppard got minutes because he earned them. Others got minutes because they were drafted high. The results speak for themselves.
What’s the long-term impact of this on the Western Conference?
If the Rockets maintain this trajectory, they could become a top-four seed in the West by next season. Sheppard’s emergence gives them depth, flexibility, and a low-cost star. Teams like the Warriors and Mavericks, already stretched thin in the backcourt, now face a new threat. Meanwhile, Atlanta and Washington’s backcourt struggles could push them into rebuilding mode—making Sheppard’s rise not just a personal triumph, but a franchise-shifting moment.