Houston Rockets receive grade for selecting Reed Sheppard in NBA draft

The Houston Rockets selected former Kentucky Wildcat Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The players selected first and second overall were both French, so Sheppard was the first college player selected during the draft.

Last season for the Kentucky Wildcats, Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game and shot 52% from three. That three-point percentage is what has made the NBA so excited about the upside Sheppard possesses.

Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports gave the Rockets an A for drafting Sheppard with the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Here’s Peek’s rationale for giving the Rockets an A for drafting the former Wildcat, ” Sheppard shot over 52% from 3-point range on 3.5 attempts per game and will be more of a combo guard at the NBA level. He is a bit undersized at 6-foot-2, but he has a high IQ and floor. solid for a talented young guard entering the NBA.”

Sheppard is a great fit for the Rockets, as they were looking for a player to facilitate and shoot the ball. That’s precisely what the Kentucky rookie will bring to the table.

The 6’2 rookie is also an elite defender when it comes to stealing the ball. He averaged 2.5 steals per game last season for Kentucky. There are some concerns about Sheppard’s ability to defend the ball, but he will take the ball away a lot.

The Rockets are getting a perfect fit for their needs and a player who will immediately become a fan favorite in Houston.