Everything Reed Sheppard said after the former Kentucky star was taken in 2024 NBA draft

Reed Sheppard is now a Houston Rocket.

With the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Rockets selected Sheppard, the former Kentucky freshman phenom and the son of former UK basketball players Jeff Sheppard and Stacey Reed Sheppard.

Sheppard was the first of two UK basketball players to be selected in the draft lottery on Wednesday night: Fellow one-and-done UK backcourt star Rob Dillingham was taken eighth overall.

During his lone season in Lexington, the former North Laurel High School star and 2023 McDonald’s All-American was an indispensable part of the Wildcats’ success.

Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game last season. He was UK’s leader in both assists and steals, and played the most minutes per game (28.9 minutes) of any non-fifth-year player on the UK roster.

Sheppard was also a consistent presence: He was one of only two players (along with Antonio Reeves) to appear in all 33 of UK’s games last season.

Plenty of accolades followed as Sheppard’s freshman season took a surprise star turn: He was named the national freshman of the year by the USBWA and the SEC freshman of the year after a vote of the league’s coaches.

Now, Sheppard is an NBA draft lottery selection who will begin his career alongside guard Jalen Green, center Alperen Sengun and other talented players as part of a Rockets franchise that appears to be on the rise.

Sheppard was also the first collegiate player selected in the 2024 NBA draft, after the Atlanta Hawks took Zaccharie Risacher No. 1 overall and the Washington Wizards took Alexandre Sarr (the younger brother of former UK Wildcat Olivier Sarr) No. 2 overall.

After being selected third overall, Sheppard and his parents briefly spoke to ESPN as part of that network’s draft night coverage.

Here’s everything Sheppard and his parents said:

Question about what Jeff and Stacey Reed are feeling on draft night:

Jeff Sheppard: “Just so thankful. Overwhelmed with appreciation, so proud of Reed and God’s been so good to our family. We’re so glad to be here.”

Stacey Reed Sheppard: “I feel that we’re just blessed. We’re thankful to be here, enjoy it with our family. We’ve got 75 people, family and friends that are here and get to celebrate with them. So, this is an unbelievable day.”

Question about what Reed Sheppard will bring to the Houston Rockets?

Reed Sheppard: “Just a guy going in who is looking to learn, who is going to do whatever it takes to win... If it’s not making 3s right away, it’s getting teammates involved, whatever it takes to win and be on the court. I’m going to do whatever makes the team better.”

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