Hot Takes on Rockets' Reed Sheppard vs. Wizards' Alex Sarr

Houston Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard shone Sunday night during a 109-91 Summer League victory over Alex Sarr and the Washington Wizards in Las Vegas.

Sheppard, the No. 3 pick of the 2024 draft, even managed to impress three-time All-Star point guard Trae Young as he faced off against No. 2 pick Sarr for the first time.

Here are some of the hottest takes of the night following the Rockets' Summer League win.

---

No. 3 pick Sheppard earns hype as projected undersized NBA point guard

Reed Sheppard dominated in the first half, putting up 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting from the field while adding three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Sheppard finished the outing with 22 points, six rebounds, seven assists and five steals.

The No. 3 pick of the 2024 draft also shot 9-for-15 from the field and 1-for-5 from deep.

That stat line impressed fans looking for proof that a player who measured in at 6'1.75" without shoes at the combine could succeed in the NBA.

Sheppard climbed draft rankings after shooting 52.1 percent from behind the arc during his freshman college season, but will have to compete for playing time in Houston guards like Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet.

Some fans believed Sheppard's Summer League performance proved he deserved playing time despite the crowded depth chart:

Sheppard's Summer League journey will continue Monday as the Rockets take on Ron Holland II and the Detroit Pistons.

---

Fans hope to see No. 2 pick Sarr develop in Summer League

Sarr started off the game strong with a pull-up jumper in the first quarter.

Sarr provided limited offense as the game went on, however.

The No. 2 pick of the 2024 NBA Draft finished the outing with eight points, four rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes. He shot 4-for-14 from the field and 0-for-5 from deep.

Sarr's limited offense led some fans to believe the Australian league standout will need to continue developing some aspects of his game before he can succeed as an NBA big.

The 7-foot-0 center at times struggled to defend Sheppard and Whitmore in the loss, but still showed flashes of the defensive control that took him to the top of the 2024 draft.

Sarr and the Wizards are back in action Tuesday for a game against Donovan Clingan and the Portland Trail Blazers.