"Happy for my brotha": Houston Rockets picking Reed Sheppard at No. 3 has Kentucky star Justin Edwards hyped up

Kentucky star Justin Edwards celebrated as the Houston Rockets selected Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. After one season at Kentucky, Sheppard earned SEC Rookie of the Year honors in 2023-24, thanks to his impressive 52.1% shooting from three-point range on 4.4 attempts per game. He is considered the best shooter in this year's draft.

On Instagram, Sheppard’s former teammate Edwards, who also declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, wrote:

"Happy for you, my brotha @reedsheppard3."

The Rockets, who ranked 23rd in the NBA in three-point percentage last season, have added an elite shooter. Sheppard excelled at Kentucky, making over 52% of his three-pointers and averaging 2.5 steals per game. With Fred VanVleet still the starter, the Rockets now boast three young guards with All-Star potential: Sheppard, Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson.

Former Wildcats guard Sheppard was named the NABC National Freshman of the Year on Apr. 2 and declared for the 2024 NBA Draft on Apr. 18.

The decision to play basketball was Reed Sheppard's alone, no pressure from his parents

Reed Sheppard shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected in the first round by the Houston Rockets in the 2024 NBA Draft. (Image: IMAGN)

Reed Sheppard, who turned 20 just before the Draft, started only five of his 33 games during his freshman season at Kentucky, averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 steals in 28.9 minutes per game. In a chat with Andy Katz on ‘Get To Know,’ Sheppard shared what it's like to follow in his father Jeff Sheppard's footsteps.

“They didn't make me play basketball,” Sheppard said. “I was able to play whatever I wanted growing up, and I did until sixth grade, and then I started just playing basketball, and when I did that, then that's really when it went to another level of commitment, getting in the gym, and then they started talking to me about, you know, it's tough, what it's going to take, so I really appreciate them for that.” [Time mark - 00:22]

Both of Sheppard's parents played basketball at the University of Kentucky. His father Jeff was a two-time national champion with the Wildcats (1996, 1998) and briefly played in the NBA for the Hawks. His mother Stacey Reed Sheppard was one of Kentucky's top 10 all-time leading scorers.

Also Read: "Now trade for KD and win it all": Fans react to Houston Rockets drafting Reed Sheppard with No. 3 pick

About the author

Mohammad Asif Ansari is a journalist covering college football and basketball at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology and brings four years of experience as an NFL and EdTech writer.

While acknowledging the dominance of professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, Asif is drawn to the raw energy and unpredictability of college sports, particularly football and basketball.

Jalen Hurts stands out as Asif's all-time favorite college player, celebrated for his remarkable success on the football field and impressive leadership skills.

In his reporting, Asif seeks to capture the essence of college athletics, delving into the human stories behind the game. From the trials and triumphs of student-athletes to the strategic genius of coaches like Nick Saban, he strives to paint a vivid picture of the college sports landscape.

Asif ensures that his reporting is both informative and ethically sound, meticulously verifying sources and facts to provide readers with reliable and trustworthy content.

When not writing, Asif practices basic MMA, hones his biking skills and expands his language proficiency in Urdu and Arabic.

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Edited by Parag Jain