Rockets draft Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard at No. 3 in NBA draft
With the third overall pick on Wednesday in the 2024 NBA draft, the Houston Rockets selected guard Reed Sheppard out of the University of Kentucky.
Sheppard was named SEC Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals on 52.1% shooting from 3-point range. He had seven 20-point games, including a season-high 32 points and the game-winning shot on Feb. 27.
The 20-year-old established himself as a top-five pick after a tremendous season with the Wildcats. He was also said to be in contention as the No. 1 pick by the Atlanta Hawks.
.@reed_sheppard is a Houston Rocket!
H-Town, welcome our guy ⤵️#NBADraft | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/r1lua6t9Kv
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 27, 2024
Sheppard becomes the Rockets’ third top-five pick in as many years (Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson). He is the third player to be drafted at No. 3 by the Rockets in franchise history, joining Rodney McCray in 1983 and Smith in 2022.
The 6-foot-3 guard led the country in 3-point percentage and finished 10th in total steals (82). He was the only player in the country to record at least 145 assists, 80 steals and 75 3-pointers, and just the second in program history with 80 or more steals in a season.
Sheppard projects to be able to step in and contribute immediately as the Rockets look to return to the playoffs. He has the potential to develop into a two-way player and help the Rockets now.
