Houston Rockets’ Ime Udoka thinks Reed Sheppard is the perfect fit

We always thought the Houston Rockets would pick Reed Sheppard, right?

The Rockets really needed shooting. Sheppard was the best shooter in this class. Almost every leading indicator suggests he’s going to be an impact NBA player.

Additionally, it appears the Rockets like Sheppard — as a player and as a person.

That was certainly the feeling at Sheppard’s introductory press conference.

“(Sheppard) has a great lineage with his parents, and if you know their history, you know he was raised well and grew up in a basketball family and a great Kentucky community. So all those things stood out, and then you get to know the person, and it was a perfect combination.”

– Ime Udoka

It’s important. The Rockets are trying to build a culture. It’s important that they feel like Sheppard can embody that culture with the rest of this team.

Fortunately, he also fits well into the basketball world.

“A lot of things Reed does are definitely standouts. The shooting, the IQ.”

– Ime Udoka

When asked what advice his parents gave him, Sheppard replied: “You can’t be soft.”

We know that was music to Udoka’s ears.

It’s unclear what Sheppard’s long-term role with the Rockets will be.

If Jalen Green has a breakout season in 2024-25, he could be relegated to a long-term reserve role. On the other hand, the Rockets could eventually decide that Amen Thompson is a wing. As a combo guard, Sheppard could be Fred VanVleet’s replacement.

Let’s not put the cart before the horse. The Rockets don’t need to know where Sheppard will fit in. All they need to know is that they’ve selected a kid who fits their vision for the team:

They already know Sheppard won’t be gentle.