Rockets' Reed Sheppard ignites NBA Rising Stars game

Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard made a notable impact during his second NBA Rising Stars game appearance on Friday night. Selected by NBA legend Carmelo Anthony to play for his team, Sheppard was described as Anthony's "secret weapon." Sheppard contributed 9 points in the first game, hitting all three of his attempts from beyond the arc, and making crucial shots that secured the lead for Team Melo in their 40-34 victory. His overall performance for the night included 12 points, one assist, and two steals. He demonstrated strong three-point shooting, going 4-for-6 from downtown and hitting a memorable crossover before a three-pointer in the final game, which helped Team Melo advance. Sheppard has shown significant development in his shooting, with his three-point percentage increasing from 33.8% in his rookie year to 38.7% this season. This season, Sheppard is averaging 12.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. His role with the Rockets has expanded due to an injury to starting point guard Fred VanVleet, leading to doubled minutes and increased scoring opportunities off the bench. Sheppard also played one season at Kentucky, where he achieved numerous freshman of the year honors and led the nation in three-point shooting percentage in 2023-24 with 52.1%.