HOUSTON — In Tuesday’s press conference from Toyota Center, the Rockets introduced newly drafted guard Reed Sheppard alongside general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka.
Sheppard, a sharpshooting 6-foot-2 guard who is now 20 years old, shot over 52% on 3-pointers during his lone collegiate season at Kentucky. From there, he became Houston’s No. 3 overall pick in the first round of last week’s 2024 NBA draft.
Sheppard will make his Rockets debut in next week’s summer-league action, which starts Friday, July 12, with a high-profile, nationally televised matchup versus Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
In the coming days, Sheppard will be among several rookies and young players participating in a mini-camp in Houston as the summer Rockets prepare for their games in Las Vegas.
On Tuesday, however, the lead item on Sheppard’s agenda was introducing himself to the community and adjusting to life in his new NBA home. With that in mind, here are roundup of pertinent news and information from Sheppard’s introductory press conference, including perspective from Stone and Udoka regarding his fit with the 2024-25 team and other offseason priorities for the Rockets.
Reed Sheppard July 2 news conference reaction
REED SHEPPARD IN THE BUILDING!
A warm H-Town welcome 🫶@reed_sheppard #Rockets pic.twitter.com/zuKOxfddtq
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 2, 2024
The #Rockets introduce #3 overall pick Reed Sheppard pic.twitter.com/HSnjjQlm2C
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) July 2, 2024
Ime Udoka on evaluating Sheppard during the pre-draft process:
“A lot of things Reed does obviously stood out. The shooting, the IQ.”
Udoka notes he was impressed by Sheppard’s parents, former Kentucky hoops stars Jeff and Stacey. pic.twitter.com/A4bgSoKWHx
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) July 2, 2024
Ime Udoka gave a little chuckle when Reed Sheppard revealed the message he got from his parents when he started playing basketball was "You can't be soft"
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) July 2, 2024
Rockets draft pick Reed Sheppard being introduced to the media at Toyota Center. @HoustonRockets
Tune in: https://t.co/LImtOG4v2q pic.twitter.com/vaaDRnkdvF
— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) July 2, 2024
Reed has arrived!
Says he wants to be known as a great PERSON, not just player. Emphasizes he’ll do whatever team needs to win.
One of the biggest lessons he says his parents taught him?
“You can’t be soft.” pic.twitter.com/075hcf5G8M
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) July 2, 2024
Ime udoka on Reed Sheppard's defense pic.twitter.com/1LIdfmcWn4
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 2, 2024
Ime Udoka says he wants “Reed Sheppard to make it tougher on others” in terms of playing time next season. They will continue to philosophy of every position is open for grabs, every thing is earned, nothing is given.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) July 2, 2024
Ime Udoka says there are similarities between Reed Sheppard and Fred VanVleet defensively, with their ability to get hands on the ball and be in the right angles. Adds 1-on-1 defending is the hardest thing to do and he’ll develop in the NBA, but they loved what the film showed.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) July 2, 2024
Udoka says Sheppard’s gravity opens up the playbook for HOU and will help improve the offensive efficiency of the group.
Last season, the Rockets were 20th in half court offensive efficiency per CTG.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) July 2, 2024
Great anecdote by Ime Udoka to @AdamSpolane, who asked about Reed Sheppard's competitiveness.
Udoka said that when Reed came to Houston for his pre-draft visit, he wanted to both work out and compete against current #Rockets players. Most guys just want the 1-on-0 workout
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 2, 2024
Ime Udoka, Reed Sheppard and Rafael Stone pic.twitter.com/vxw5uAjUY9
— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) July 2, 2024
Stacey Sheppard and Ime Udoka already seem like a perfect pair.
Udoka said he heard Stacey tell her son “you can’t be soft” numerous times at a recent dinner with the family.
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) July 2, 2024
Udoka said he'll be calling Stacey Sheppard if he feels Reed is being soft https://t.co/t1gXRH6Tjt
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) July 2, 2024
Sheppard on what a successful career looks like (h/t to @JTGatlin for the question):
“Win a championship. I think that’s the main goal. … You want to win at the highest level.”
How he wants to be remembered: “He was a winner, he was a competitor.”
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) July 2, 2024
"As I got older knowing [my parents played] it was really cool to be able to see that."
No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard shares the impact of growing up in a basketball household with the support of his parents 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/duN7JDAPpQ
— NBA (@NBA) July 2, 2024
Reed Sheppard not only one of the best shooters in the draft but also one of the best off ball players as well. I asked him about playing with someone like Alperen Sengun who is one of the best passers in the NBA.
“I think it could be really special”
Full press conference up… pic.twitter.com/lzF8GWnsbF
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) July 2, 2024
Per @SportsRV, Reed Sheppard is officially signing his #Rockets contract today.
(That will make him untradeable for a period of time, but come on, he wasn't/isn't going anywhere.)
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 2, 2024
#Rockets Reed Sheppard: “I’m the guy on the team doing whatever it takes to win.” pic.twitter.com/J4WzYOBgGg
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) July 2, 2024
"Win a championship, I think that's the main goal…"
Rockets No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard on what a successful NBA career looks like to him in his future 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/8cNhkPMLKp
— NBA (@NBA) July 2, 2024
Here is Reed on what helped him realize he was ready to enter the NBA draft after his freshman year
“You get to go against players that are NBA talent and everyday in practice that is who you go against.” pic.twitter.com/IgpKhK5hOC
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) July 2, 2024
Jeff Sheppard on comps for his son Reed:
"There's a lot of comparisons you dream about. Can he be a leader like Steve Nash? Who knows. Can he be a player like Derrick White having such a great run as a role player, shooting the ball well, but causing some problems on defense."
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 2, 2024
