Ranking 8 prospects the Houston Rockets could draft by upside

5. Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

Sheppard is certainly intriguing. He averaged 2.5 steals per game for Kentucky last year, and somehow, we have concerns about his defense anyway.

Look - steals per game do not singularly determine defensive value. Sheppard has quick hands. He's going to be a great defensive playmaker. That won't stop rival teams from targeting a short guard at the point of attack.

If Sheppard can mitigate those concerns, he'll be a long-term starter in the NBA. He's the best shooter in this class by a long shot. Yet, there could be other roadblocks on his path to stardom.

Can Sheppard run a pick-and-roll in the NBA? He's a deft ball-handler and a solid decision-maker, but time will tell whether he's able to penetrate to the basket once he's on the floor with the big boys.