Is Reed Sheppard a good fit for the Houston Rockets?

The Houston Rockets just selected former Kentucky Wildcat Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Last season for the Wildcats, Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

The Rockets were looking for a facilitator and shooter to help their team, and Sheppard is the perfect fit. Sheppard was one of the best shooters in all of college basketball last season, shooting over 50 percent from deep. He is also an excellent decision maker, leading to assists and open looks for his teammates.

The Rockets have an elite young core with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr and Alperen Sengun, who need a player to get them the basketball. Sheppard would be a perfect fit for this role. Sheppard will have to adjust to the speed and size of the NBA, but his shot is pure and he should have no problem adjusting.

If Sheppard ends up being as good a player as NBA scouts project, the Rockets could be a sleeper team to make the playoffs and then make a run.

Last season, the Rockets narrowly missed the play-in tournament, and now that they have the missing piece, this team is ready to make some noise with its young core.

Sheppard was able to spend this time with his mother Stacey and father Jeff, who also both played basketball at Kentucky. It was a special moment for Kentucky basketball fans as the Kentucky kid went top five in the NBA draft against the Rockets.