Summer League showcases Rockets’ embarrassment of young talent

The Rockets fell just short of a play-in berth last season. Their dominant Summer League team shows there’s a bevy of young reinforcements coming.

After dismantling the Lakers Friday night, 99-80, the Rockets took it to a Washington Wizards team Sunday that features three first-round picks in Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George, winning 109-91.

Cam Whitmore, Houston's No. 20 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, wasn't intimidated to go up against Sarr, this year's No. 2 pick. He beat Sarr for dunks twice, earning style points on a few of his acrobatic efforts, and finished with 25 points and five steals.

Sheppard and Whitmore were both college stars and top prospects. They're showing out in Summer League, but so are some of their new teammates.

Former Miami Heat center Orlando Robinson had 22 points and 15 rebounds Sunday against Washington, while former Atlanta Hawks forward A.J. Griffin hit three three-pointers and found Whitmore for another spectacular dunk late.

The Rockets already have 22-year-old Jalen Green and 21-year-olds Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson, all top-4 picks. 21-year-old Alperen Sengun averaged 21 points and nine rebounds last season, while 23-year-old Tari Eason is a potential defensive ace.

They're even taking a flyer on Kira Lewis Jr., the No. 13 pick from the 2020 draft whose career was derailed by a torn ACL.

But the most encouraging part of Vegas Summer League might be the chemistry between Sheppard and Whitmore, who have the potential to be a dominant duo off the bench as early as this season. Sheppard found Whitmore for dunks for two of his seven assists, while racking up five steals of his own.

If the Rockets don't shut down Sheppard and Whitmore early for being too good, this team should cruise to a Summer League title. These two young men aren't far from helping the regular-season Rockets to chase a title either.