Ranking 4 Rockets most likely to join Team USA for 2028 Olympics

3. Reed Sheppard

We know what you're thinking. Sheppard hasn't played a regular-season NBA game yet. How can we expect to see him in the 2028 Olympics?

Simple: we're projecting. Sheppard shot 52.5% from three-point range in college. He is overwhelmingly likely to be one of the best shooters in the world by 2028. That's a portable skill that should fit in any team construction.

That's not to say we're confident that he'll be there. Sheppard needs to prove that the on-ball abilities he flashed in Summer League translate on the big stage. If he's a shooting specialist, Team USA will likely opt to add another knockdown shooter who can make a play with the ball.

Frankly, Sheppard's trajectory rests on the same question. If he's a point guard, he can be a star in this league. If he's an off-guard, he'll be a role player.

Role players typically don't play for Team USA.