Kentucky's Sheppard chosen by Rockets at No. 3
The Houston Rockets selected Kentucky point guard Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday.
Sheppard was a standout in his one year of college ball, winning the SEC Rookie of the Year award and earning an All-SEC berth. Not projected as a draft pick coming into the campaign as a four-star recruit, Sheppard blew those expectations out of the water with a hyper-efficient and productive season.
Bio
Position: Guard
School: Kentucky
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 182 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-3
Max Vertical: 42 inches
2023-24 stats with Kentucky
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 53.6 | 52.1 | 83.1 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 12.5 |
Sheppard's otherworldly long-range shooting, above-average passing, and strong steal numbers (2.5 per game) make him one of the most statistically dominant players in the draft in both counting and advanced stats. His diminutive size is what's holding him back from being a serious candidate for the No. 1 pick.
NBA comparable: Chris Paul. While that's a lofty goal, Paul's maturity and poise at point guard while being an excellent college shooter mirror Sheppard's game. Both measured as quite undersized and were docked as a result, but they're both extremely smart defenders who use their IQ and positioning to cancel out their physical deficiencies. Sheppard will need to maximize his on-ball playmaking to truly match Paul's career.