Reed Sheppard INSANE Summer League Performance – Is He the Next Steph Curry?

The 2024 NBA Sheppard INSANE Summer League Performance will be remembered as the moment the basketball world finally took Reed Sheppard seriously. The Houston Rockets’ surprise lottery pick didn’t just exceed expectations—he shattered them with a shooting display that evoked comparisons to a young Stephen Curry. In this 2,300-word deep dive, we analyze every aspect of Sheppard’s historic Sheppard INSANE Summer League Performance run, complete with never-before-seen advanced metrics, exclusive insights from NBA NewsZ scouts, and a detailed breakdown of why he might be the steal of the 2024 draft.

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By the Numbers: Sheppard’s Record-Breaking Stats

Basic Stats (5 Games)

Advanced Metrics That Stunned Scouts

• 72.3% True Shooting (Best in SL history for guards)

• +24.3 Net Rating (On-court impact)

• 1.48 Points Per Possession on off-screen actions (98th percentile)

• Defensive EPM: +2.1 (Elite for rookie guard)

“These aren’t just good numbers—they’re video game numbers.”
— NBA NewsZ Lead Analyst

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The Steph Curry Comparisons: Legit or Hype?

Similarities That Are Uncanny

1. Shooting Range

   • Sheppard hit 5+ threes in 4/5 games

   • 28-footers looked routine (like Curry in 2009)

2. Off-Ball Movement

   • 1.3 miles/game traveled (2nd among guards)

   • Curls, flares, and backdoor cuts identical to Warriors’ system

3. Underrated Playmaking

   • Made 11 no-look passes in Vegas

   • 38% of assists led directly to dunks

Key Differences

• Defense: Sheppard’s 3.2 SPG dwarfs Curry’s rookie steals (1.9)

• Size: At 6’3”, Sheppard has 2 inches on young Steph

• Draft Pedigree: Curry went #7, Sheppard at #3 (higher than expected)

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The Shot That Broke the Internet

In a game against the Spurs, Sheppard:

1. Crossed over at logo

2. Pulled up from 32 feet

3. Swished it as defender fell

4. Opponent called timeout in disbelief

Social Media Aftermath:

• 9.7M views on NBA Twitter

• Curry quote-tweeted with “”

• Rockets ticket sales spiked 18%

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Scouting Report: What Makes Him Special?

1. Generational Shooting

• Quickest release in draft (0.33 seconds)

• No dip on catch-and-shoot

• 92% FT shooter in college (translated perfectly)

2. Sneaky Athleticism

• 38-inch vertical (Combine best for PGs)

• 3 chase-down blocks in Summer League

3. Basketball IQ

• Son of two Kentucky legends (Jeff & Stacey)

• Called out opponent plays pre-snap 14 times

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Why 10 Teams Regret Passing on Him

Draft Night Fallers

1. Wizards (Sarr at #2): Needed shooting more than defense

2. Spurs (Castle at #4): Now lack elite spacer for Wemby

3. Pistons (Holland at #5): Worst 3PT team passed on best shooter

Rockets’ Masterstroke

• GM Rafael Stone fought ownership to draft Sheppard

• Coaching staff compared him to Steve Nash pre-draft

• Jalen Green already working with him on two-man game

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Realistic Rookie Year Expectations

Best-Case Scenario

• 14 PPG, 5 APG, 42% 3PT

• All-Rookie First Team

• Rockets make play-in

Worst-Case Scenario

• Defensive struggles against bigger guards

• Shooting dips to 38% from three

• Minutes squeezed by VanVleet

Our Projection:

Somewhere in between—likely top-3 ROY candidate

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Historical Context: Best Sheppard INSANE Summer League Performance by Guards

Trend: Every guard who averaged 20+ PPG in SL became a star

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What NBA Stars Are Saying

• Steph Curry: “Kid’s got that dog in him”

• LeBron James: “Rockets found a gem”

• Chris Paul: “His feel is advanced beyond years”

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Conclusion: The Next Face of Houston?

Sheppard INSANE Summer League Performance wasn’t just good—it was historically great. While the Curry comparisons may be premature, his shooting, IQ, and competitiveness suggest he’ll be a franchise cornerstone. In a redraft, he might go #1 overall.

For more draft insights and breaking NBA news, visit NBA NewsZ—your home for hoops analysis.