0 Points, 0 Points! Has the No. 3 Pick Sheppard Already Bust in Year One?

When a player is drafted as the No. 3 overall pick, expectations are naturally sky-high. They are supposed to be a franchise cornerstone, a future star, or at the very least, a reliable contributor. But so far, Reed Sheppard’s rookie season has been anything but impressive. The Houston Rockets guard has struggled mightily, and his latest performance at the NBA Rising Stars Challenge only added fuel to the fire.

The Rising Stars Debacle

In a game meant to showcase the league’s best young talent, Sheppard’s performance stood out for all the wrong reasons. As a member of Jeremy Lin’s G League squad, he played in two games and finished with the following stat lines:

• Semifinals vs. Team McClung: 9 minutes, 0 points (0-3 FG), 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal.
• Finals vs. Team Cassell: 4 minutes, 0 points (0-1 FG), 1 rebound, 0 assists.

That’s right—two games, zero points. The only player in the entire Rising Stars event to not score.

It was a brutal look for Sheppard, especially considering that his teammates were primarily G League players. While others seized the moment and even made a case for potential NBA roles, Sheppard faded into the background. And to make matters worse, he wasn’t even placed on one of the traditional “Rookie” or “Sophomore” teams—he was instead grouped with the G League squad, a move that left many scratching their heads.

Sam Quinn, an NBA reporter, summed up the situation perfectly:

"I understand why the league placed Sheppard on the G League team, but it feels unfair to associate a No. 3 overall pick with G League talent, especially when he has only played three games there. It’s way too early to slap the ‘bust’ label on him."

The Tale of Two Sheppards

The strangest part about Sheppard’s struggles is the stark contrast between his performances in different leagues. In the G League, he looked dominant:

• 3 games: 30.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 8.3 APG, 2.7 SPG
• Shooting splits: 45.6% FG, 40.5% 3PT, 100% FT

That’s elite production. Those numbers scream “future star.”

But in the NBA?

• 40 games with the Rockets: 11.6 MPG, 3.5 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.1 APG
• Shooting splits: 31.1% FG, 27.3% 3PT, 90.0% FT
• True shooting percentage: 41.0%

It’s a night-and-day difference. He goes from being a dominant scorer in low-pressure environments to looking completely overwhelmed against NBA-level competition.

Why Is Sheppard Struggling?

There are two major factors at play here:

1. The Rockets Are Deep, and He’s Not Getting Enough Opportunities
   Houston has a crowded backcourt. With Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and even Aaron Holiday in the mix, Sheppard isn’t getting consistent minutes. When he does play, his time on the court is often fragmented, preventing him from developing any real rhythm.

2. His Physical Limitations Are Holding Him Back
   Sheppard’s strengths—his shooting, passing, and basketball IQ—are clear. But his weaknesses are just as glaring. He lacks elite athleticism, struggles defensively, and gets overpowered by stronger, more explosive guards.

Head coach Ime Udoka prioritizes defense and physicality, and Sheppard simply doesn’t fit that mold. His defensive shortcomings were on full display in the Rising Stars game, where fellow Rockets rookie Amen Thompson completely dominated him. At one point, Thompson backed Sheppard down from the three-point line all the way to the rim and dunked on him—a moment that felt symbolic of Sheppard’s struggles against elite competition.

The "Bust" Conversation

Forty games into his rookie season, it’s impossible to ignore the reality: Sheppard looks like a bust. At least for now.

But is it fair to completely write him off? Probably not. Many rookies struggle in Year One, only to develop into solid contributors later. The transition from college—or even the G League—to the NBA is brutal. Some players adjust quickly, while others need more time.

Sheppard’s best path forward? Hit the weight room. His skill set is valuable, but without improved strength and defensive ability, he’ll continue to be a liability on both ends of the floor. The Rockets also need to decide if they’re willing to be patient with him, or if they should look to move him to a team where he’d have more opportunity.

At the end of the day, being the No. 3 pick comes with expectations. Right now, Sheppard isn’t meeting them. And unless something changes soon, the "bust" label will only get louder.