Reed Sheppard to Houston Rockets with third pick in 2024 NBA Draft

Former Kentucky Wildcats star Reed Sheppard is now an NBA player.

On Wednesday, Sheppard was selected third overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2024 NBA Draft. The son of former Wildcats Jeff Sheppard and Stacey Sheppard is now embarking on a professional career.

As a true freshman last season, the Laurel County native averaged 12.5 points per game coming off the bench and reached double figures in scoring in 21 games. He led the team with 148 assists this year (4.5 per game). Those 148 assists rank eighth in single-season history by a UK freshman. He was the 28th player in program history to have more than 148 assists in a season.

Defensively, Sheppard was one of the nation’s best in steals, as he racked up 82 steals on the season. Since steals became an official statistic in 1979, the 82 steals are the second most by a UK player in program history, behind Rajon Rondo (87). Sheppard also became the first player in UK history to record more than 5 interceptions in three consecutive games.

Sheppard, who is 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds, finished the season as the only player in the country to accumulate at least 80 steals, make at least 145 assists and make at least 70 three-pointers. According to KenPom, his three-point percentage of 52.1 percent is the best in the nation, his true shooting percentage (69.9 percent) is ranked sixth, and his effective shooting percentage (67.9 percent) is ranked eighth.

Sheppard did all of this upon arriving at Kentucky as a 4-star prospect expected to stay in college for several years, but he turned out to be the sport’s biggest surprise by earning national freshman honors from the year. He was also selected to the All-SEC second team.

Sheppard will now look to make his mark in the NBA. Good luck to the young Kentucky player who wants to continue to make his state proud!

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