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Reed Sheppard making Summer League look easy after a second straight dazzling performance

Lexington Herald-Leader
·3 min read

If he’s not careful, Reed Sheppard is going to play his way out of the NBA Summer League.

For the second straight game, the rookie from the University of Kentucky put on a show in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

The 6-foot-3 20-year-old from North Laurel High School scored 22 points to go along with seven assists, six rebounds, five steals and a block in a 109-91 win over the Washington Wizards. Sheppard, Kentucky’s 2023 Mr. Basketball, committed just two turnovers in 32 minutes as the team’s primary ball handler.

In his Summer League debut Friday night, Sheppard finished with 23 points, five assists, four rebounds and three blocks in a 99-80 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Reed Sheppard drove for a dunk after swiping one of his five steals against Washington on Sunday night in Las Vegas.
Reed Sheppard drove for a dunk after swiping one of his five steals against Washington on Sunday night in Las Vegas.

For the second game in a row, Sheppard stole the stage from a more-heavily hyped draft pick. Sheppard, the No. 3 choice in last month’s draft, faced No. 2 pick Alexandre Sarr of the Wizards on Sunday night. Sarr wound up with eight points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks. On Friday night, Sheppard outperformed the Lakers’ Bronny James, though a second-round draft pick, the featured attraction as the son of NBA legend LeBron James.

Sheppard, rarely a starter in his one season at Kentucky in 2023-24, was again in control primarily playing point guard for Houston on Sunday. He made 9 of 15 shots from the field, 1 of 5 long-range shots and 3 of 4 free throws while dazzling in the pick-and-roll game, particularly when teamed with second-year former Villanova star Cam Whitmore.

Whitmore led Houston with 25 points in the win.

Houston is scheduled to take the floor again Monday against Detroit at 6:30 p.m. (NBA TV).

Sheppard is quickly making the case that Summer League is no longer necessary as a proving ground. It’s not uncommon for NBA teams to shut down players early after a few convincing performances in order to take a longer look at other players.

“I like his all-around game,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said of Sheppard during an in-game interview Friday night. “I think IQ. Obviously, the shooting stands out. Very competitive. ... Love what he’s doing today.”

Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 pick in last month’s NBA draft, drives around Washington’s Alex Sarr, the No. 2 pick, during Sunday night’s game.
Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 pick in last month’s NBA draft, drives around Washington’s Alex Sarr, the No. 2 pick, during Sunday night’s game.

Dillingham bounces back

Former Wildcat Rob Dillingham bounced back from a subpar performance in his Summer League opener Friday to post 14 points, eight assists, two rebounds and two steals in Minnesota’s 105-94 win over Indiana on Sunday.

Dillingham, like Sheppard a one-and-done performer at Kentucky, played 28 minutes and made 5 of 14 shots from the field, 2 of 4 from 3-point range and both of his free throws. On Friday, Dillingham shot 2-for-12.

Former Wildcat Oscar Tshiebwe finished with four points, nine rebounds and three assists in 15 minutes of action for Indiana.

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