Reed Sheppard has yet to log a single minute in a regular season NBA game, but he is already creating buzz from some of the league’s most qualified staff members.
As part of the 2024-25 Kia Season Preview, the NBA released its NBA GM survey, where the association anonymously asks its 30 general managers about their expectations for the upcoming year of top-level basketball. This is the 23rd year the NBA has released a GM survey.
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When asked about their expectations for the rookie class, the Houston Rockets’ No. 3 overall pick stole the show.
50% of participating GMs said Sheppard would win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award this season. He was far and away the most popular candidate, as Memphis’ Zach Edey came in second place with 30% of the votes.
When asked which rookie would be the best player in five years, Sheppard ran away with the survey again. He got 43% of the votes, while San Antonio’s Stephon Castle came in second place with 17%.
Sheppard was less popular in the “Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft?” question, which makes sense; it’s hard to consider the No. 3 overall pick a “steal” in any scenario. Still, his name was included in the “Also receiving votes” section.