Houston Rockets Draft Prospect Reed Sheppard Reveals ‘Winning’ Mindset

The Houston Rockets have a great chance to add to their roster in the 2024 NBA Draft. On Sunday afternoon, the Rockets landed the third pick in the draft lottery, and if general manager Rafael Stone keeps the selection, Houston could add to his impressive young roster.

Reed Sheppard, who enters the draft as a top-five prospect, never believed the NBA was an option growing up. Now, the Rockets could be Sheppard’s next destination on his basketball journey that began in London, KY.

“I’m good at everything, no matter what I have to do,” Sheppard said at the NBA Combine on Monday. “As long as we win. As long as everyone is having fun. I don’t care if I have to pass the ball. I don’t care if I have to shoot the ball. I don’t care if I have to bring water to the guys, I’ll do whatever it takes for the team to win.”

Sheppard played one season at Kentucky, averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 33 games last season. The Rockets need to add players who can space the floor with their shots, and Sheppard would be a great fit.

He shot 52.1 percent from behind the arc and had a dozen games with three or more 3-point field goals. On November 17, he hit a career-high seven triples in the Wildcats’ 101-67 victory over the Stonehill Skyhawks. He accomplished the feat again in Kentucky’s four-point win over Tennessee in March.

Sheppard attributed his shooting efficiency to his hard work and, more importantly, the opportunity he had to play alongside draft prospects Rob Dillingham and Justin Edwards.

“When you have the best teammates and coaches in the world, it’s easy to do,” Sheppard said. “It makes you a lot better when you play with better guys. They put me in positions where they knew I would be the best. When you have good teammates who can make shots, it makes things a lot easier . That’s all my teammates and coaches.

Sheppard took the helm as Kentucky’s senior floor general as leader. However, he has the intangibles to thrive off the ball, making him a top prospect to pair alongside Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün.

Houston finished the 2023-24 season with a below-average 3-point shooting team. They shot 35.2 percent from behind the arc, finishing the season ranked 23rd. Although Stone says he “love” His roster in April, improving Houston’s 3-point shooting should be his main focus when revamping the team for next season.

Sheppard’s top priority entering the NBA is to stay true to his skills while helping his team win. The Kentucky prospect achieved a 42-inch vertical leap at the NBA Combine in Chicago, which would make him an ideal candidate when it comes to the possibility of joining a sports team in Houston.

“I’m going to do whatever it takes to win,” Sheppard said. “As long as I’m happy. The team is happy and we win games, that’s all that matters.”

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