Young generational talent is hard to ignore. And when it strikes, it surely gives one a jaw-dropping performance, which provides us with the ‘wow that was just insane’ moment! Don’t believe us? Just look at the young sensational Reed Sheppard whose terrific Summer League display won hearts and brought the Lakers to its knees. The #3 pick playing for the Rockets gave the 20,000 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center who had come for Bronny, a massive show-stopping thriller. Some were so much taken in awe after watching him steal the spotlight that they went ahead to give him a personalized tag of their own making – ‘The Next Steph Curry’! 

And no, they were not overreacting by any means, as his heroics also looped in one of the top ranks in the NBA. Here’s what an NBA Executive’s text message had to say on Reed Sheppard via @TheHoopHerald X handle, “Everyone realizes he is a shot maker, 52% from 3 is crazy. What was crazier was his block and steal rate at his size.” In his 32-game stint at Kentucky, the young gun stunningly averaged just under 5 steals and 2.7 blocks.

“He was an elite defender at Kentucky. That’s why he went so high!” the Executive’s analysis concluded. Reed Sheppard might not have a major height advantage (standing at 6ft 3 quite similar to that of Paul and Curry) but he doesn’t let it get him bogged down. He covers it up with his impressive defensive impact and incredible instincts, which are a hard catch to follow through.

Reed Sheppard’s steal rate places him a notch higher and he can be quite a nuisance once the ball is in his court (pardon the pun!) His rivals have a hard time with his quick hands and swift pick-and-rolls. He makes sure to execute his perfect shot when he is a step ahead of the screeners, which he is most of the time, and the ball goes clean through the hoop. Does this ring a bell?

Reed Sheppard – A Whirlpool of talent not to be taken lightly!

Steph Curry is a force to reckon with once he steps onto the hardwood. With an enviable track record of 13 triple-doubles and the fastest ever to reach 2500 career 3-pointers, the 36-year-old is well set on his path to leave behind a scintillating legacy that not many will have the courage to closely follow up with. But with a surprise package like Reed Sheppard, you never know. He is also being compared to The Point God, CP3! “Chris Paul is one of those guys,” the Rockets youngster said.

“I look at him because of how he can control the game, how he can get his teammates involved, how he comes off pick and rolls and he’s never sped up. He’s just gonna play his style, his pace.” Bets are being placed on Reed Sheppard to be the complete 3&D package as a whole – bringing the perfect relish of Stephen Curry’s triples and Chris Paul’s defensive rotations that are hard to breach!

In the Summer League, the Houston Rockets lodged an impressive 99-80 victory over the Lakers, with Sheppard playing on the frontlines. The 20-year-old guard scored an impressive 23 points alongside 9-17 from the field and 4-6 from beyond the arc, by the end of the match-winning performance. With him taking the charge, the Houston Rockets look confident, forging ahead in the season.

While reacting to Sheppard in action while giving Bronny James a hard time catching up, one of the Summer League enthusiasts commented after the match, “We really got out Curry Regen.” This was definitely a déjà vu moment for the fans. It reminded them of the time when Curry‘s iconic threes staged the Warriors’ 134-120 victory over the Lakers, helping them steal the regular season series 3-1 from the Lakers. Steph went for a sweeping 6-6 from deep, placing Golden State in a comfortable spot.

Coming back to Reed Sheppard, the Kentucky sensation is making all the noise while maintaining his successful record in the Summer League. The power-packed hooper was provided with a 4-year, $45.9 million deal, and with the way things are unfolding, the Houston side doesn’t regret it one bit. He also won over Trae Young, who highlighted his liking for the star rookie, stating “Reed Sheppard nice y’all !!”

Sheppard and Curry find much in common in their family’s history with basketball too! Much like Steph’s dad, the NBA veteran Dell Curry, Reed’s father Jeff found success at an early age and turned out to be a basketball prodigy that the family would be proud of having bagged 2 NCAA Championships. Therefore, for Reed, the passion for the ball and hoop runs through the veins and comes from the genes. Choosing a career path was never supposed to be a difficult ballgame altogether!

Sheppard is mentally strong, knowing what his next move’s going to be even before he puts it into action. If he’s given any space, he’s up for launching. He has the poise and the confidence to get him through, but his size might stand as a concern against the towering rivals who can overpower him. With Stephen Curry and Chris Paul as his idols for becoming the lead point guard, Reed will definitely be looking forward to upping his ante to the extent that none will be able to contain his whirling storm of talent, we have already seen a glimpse of it against the Lakers. The locking of horns between the Rockets and the Warriors will definitely be worth all our time!

The ultimate Present Steph Curry vs The Next Steph Curry, clash of Titans!

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.