Reed Sheppard introduces himself to Houston.
Tuesday was Reed Sheppard day at Toyota Center, where the Houston Rockets introduced their latest draft pick to the Houston media. Sheppard was joined on stage by Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and General Manager Rafael Stone. Also in attendance was the Sheppard family, including his mom, Stacey, and dad, Jeff, who both played for the Kentucky Wildcats in the 1990s. Sheppard spoke about his upbringing in Kentucky, having two basketball parents, his underrated defense, how his game will mesh with players like Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet, and much more.
I asked Sheppard about his ability to play off-ball and how his off-ball movement would complement Sengun’s great passing.
Reed Sheppard not only one of the best shooters in the draft but also one of the best off ball players as well. I asked him about playing with someone like Alperen Sengun who is one of the best passers in the NBA.
“I think it could be really special”
Full press conference up… pic.twitter.com/lzF8GWnsbF
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) July 2, 2024
With Sheppard’s ability to make the right cut at the right time and Sengun’s ability to always find the open man, we should see a lot of Sengun to Sheppard through the 2024-25 season. Sheppard also spoke about what made him confident that he should take the next step and enter the NBA draft after his freshman season.
Here is Reed on what helped him realize he was ready to enter the NBA draft after his freshman year
“You get to go against players that are NBA talent and everyday in practice that is who you go against.” pic.twitter.com/IgpKhK5hOC
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) July 2, 2024
Of course, coming from a Kentucky program that produces not only NBA draft picks but also lottery draft picks year after year gives you an early insight into what it is like to play against NBA players daily. Sheppard was a teammate of fellow lottery selection Rob Dillingham in his only year in Kentucky. Sheppard also spoke about how his family influenced his game growing up and even now as he enters the NBA.
“As I got older knowing [my parents played] it was really cool to be able to see that.”
No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard shares the impact of growing up in a basketball household with the support of his parents ️ pic.twitter.com/duN7JDAPpQ
— NBA (@NBA) July 2, 2024
Sheppard spoke about getting much of his toughness from his parents, especially his mom, who influenced how he played on the court. This upcoming season will be interesting, considering the Rockets have a solid rotation already, and minutes may not be easy to come by. Coach Udoka was asked about the possibility of Sheppard playing in the G-League.
Here was Ime Udoka on the possibility of Reed Sheppard spending time in the G League.
“No predetermined plan” pic.twitter.com/AtxxkR6BPb
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) July 2, 2024
Sheppard will get his first taste of NBA basketball starting this month as the Rockets take on Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers in their first Summer League game on July 12 in Vegas. Check out the entire press conference on the Rocket Fuel Podcast YouTube page.