Everything Reed Sheppard said after being drafted by Houston

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 British basketball players to be selected Wednesday night in the draft lottery: fellow British backcourt star Rob Dillingham was taken eighth overall.

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In 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. He was UK’s leader in assists and steals, and played the most minutes per game (28.9 minutes) of any player not fifth on the UK roster.

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

Numerous accolades followed as Sheppard’s first season took a surprise turn: He was named USBWA National Freshman and SEC Freshman of the Year after a vote of the league coaches.

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

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

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

Here’s everything Sheppard and his parents said:

Question about how Jeff and Stacey Reed feel on draft night:

Jeff Sheppard: “I am so grateful. Overwhelmed with appreciation, so proud of Reed and that God has been so good to our family. We are so happy to be here.

Stacey Reed Sheppard: “I think we’re just blessed. We are grateful to be here, let’s enjoy it with our family. We have 75 people, family and friends, who are here and can celebrate with them. So it’s an incredible day.

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

Reed Sheppard: “Just a guy who’s looking to learn, who’s going to do whatever it takes to win… If it’s not about making 3s right away, you have to involve your teammates, everything you can. It takes to win and be on the field. I’m going to do whatever makes the team better.