Three Rockets rank in ESPN’s top 25 players under 25

Every season, ESPN.com puts out an article ranking the best 25 players who are under 25 years old. To nobody’s surprise for the second consecutive year, Spur’s player Victor Wembenyama ranks number one, but what is more interesting is that the Rockets have three players of their own on the list: center Alperen Sengun, guard-forward Amen Thompson, and point guard Reed Sheppard.

After rising up 10 spots from last year’s ranking, one may argue that Sengun is the most promising player on this list, aside from Wembanyama. Sengun’s playmaking and better efficiency from deep have been key factors, even if his points per game went from 19.1 to 23.0. He is shooting 36.4% from outside the arc and averaging a career-high 7.0 assists (up from 4.9).

“Sengun needs to improve his midrange consistency in order to advance. Sengun’s shooting percentage is below 40% from 10 feet out to just inside the 3-point line. In terms of shooting % within four feet of the hoop, he is likewise in the lowest half among big men,” says Marks from ESPN

Amen Thompson rose from spot #22 all the way to spot #6. As an exceptional two-way player, Thompson is improving. He frequently takes on the most difficult perimeter assignment while applying a ton of pressure in the paint and creating chances for teammates. His free-throw percentage has increased to 81%, up more than 12% from the previous season, and he has handled greater usage thus far with Fred VanVleet out.

“Thompson needs to improve his long-range shooting (22% for his career) to advance. Although he hasn’t yet shown any noteworthy outcomes, Thompson has been more comfortable letting it fly this season. To reach his full potential, he still needs to work on his jumper, which will help him keep defenders from sagging off him and free up space for teammates when he’s off the ball. His shooting has long been a developmental focus, but his speed and size (6-7, 200) allow him to get into the paint nevertheless,” says Woo from ESPN.

Reed had the biggest jump, as last season he was not on the ESPN list at all. Sheppard spent the entirety of the previous season on the sidelines of coach Ime Udoka’s rotation after being selected No. 3 by a team that ended up hosting a first-round playoff series. However, Sheppard has been thrown into a major role in his second season due to the trade of Jalen Green and the unlucky ACL tear suffered by Fred VanVleet. And after a rough start, he has rapidly improved, becoming one of the league’s top high-volume 3-point shooters and a valuable complement to Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Alperen Sengun.

Sheppard must continue to gain confidence as a playmaker and ball handler and strengthen his defense if he is to advance. Sheppard’s defensive playmaking and scoring prowess in college made him an analytical star. Even though the 6-foot-2 guard will never be Gary Payton, if he can at least become a guy that teams can’t consistently pick on, it will significantly increase his ceiling when combined with his potent offensive ability,” Bontemps from ESPN says

It is clear that Houston has an outstanding young core because in additon to Thompson, Sengun, and Sheppard, they also have Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. who weren’t mentioned.

Houston takes on Denver on Monday to begin a six-game road trip. You can watch the game on Space City Home Network or NBA League Pass. As always, be on the lookout for pre- and post-game content here at the Dreamshake.