Reed Sheppard, the Houston Rockets’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has already garnered significant praise as the team prepares for upcoming minicamps and finalizes its roster. It’s clear that Sheppard has won over his new teammates.
The former small-town star from London was initially expected to spend several years at Kentucky. However, after an impressive freshman season and a standout performance in the summer league, he’s generated considerable buzz across the league.
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This summer, Jalen Green organized workouts in Los Angeles to foster team chemistry. Now that the media can interact with the players, many have been raving about Sheppard’s skills. Amen Thompson, entering his second season with the Rockets, highlighted Sheppard’s shooting ability, noting, “He’s very poised and has Curry-like range. That’s the first thing you notice. He’s a poised player and a great guy.”
Though Sheppard is still new to the team, the Curry comparisons are a testament to the impact he’s made so far. His summer league performance has certainly reinforced those claims, as he posted impressive statistics.
During his single season at Kentucky, Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, shooting 53.6% from the field and an impressive 52.1% from beyond the arc.
Despite the high praise from his teammates, Sheppard understands the importance of hard work and humility as he strives to succeed in the league.
“It’s been a lot of fun being in the gym with the whole team,” Sheppard shared with the media. “There are young guys and older guys, so being able to play and learn how to fit in with them, as well as getting to know the coaches, has me super excited for this year.”