The Houston Rockets earned plaudits for their selection of Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 pick in June's NBA draft. More praise arrived in July as Sheppard stole the show at NBA Summer League. Expectations now remain quite high for the Kentucky product as the calendar turns to August.
Sheppard was the most popular Rookie of the Year pick in a poll of 20 NBA executives and scouts assembled Wednesday by ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo. Sheppard earned seven preseason Rookie of the Year votes, outpacing Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (four votes) and San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (three votes).