Rajon Rondo: 'Watch how Reed Sheppard controls the game'
Rajon Rondo’s playing days are over, but he still knows a hooper when he sees one. During an appearance on the “All the Smoke” podcast, Rondo revealed which Kentucky player he tells his AAU team to watch and learn from.
“I always tell them to watch Reed [Sheppard],” Rondo said. “Everybody loves Rob [Dillingham] and wants to be Rob because Rob, he has moves. I tell them to watch Rob, obviously, for the one-on-one game, but I’m like, ‘Watch how Reed controls the game.’
“He knows the game. He’s always in the right spot. He’s not the most athletic, he’s not the fastest, but his IQ — he’s able to manipulate the game. Now some people are saying he’s the No. 1 pick in the game. That’s all IQ and the way he shoots the basketball. I’ve seen him work. They have some stuff down there at Kentucky.”
Rondo returned to Kentucky this past season to finish his degree. While there, he provided help behind-the-scenes to the Wildcats, which were the youngest team in the country. Obviously, Sheppard caught the four-time NBA All Star’s eye.
And who can blame him? Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game this season while shooting 53.6% from the field and 52.1% from beyond the arc. His high IQ play and quick hands were reminiscent of Rondo’s days at Kentucky.
If Sheppard ultimately decides to return to Kentucky next season, Rondo will be around to give him advice. The Kentucky native now lives in the Bluegrass State, coaching his AAU team, Rondo Elite, and spending time with his children in his free time.
Rajon Rondo ready to step into new role after retirement
Earlier this week, Rondo officially announced his retirement from basketball. While he’s ready to rest, he will never stop being grateful for the times he had on basketball’s biggest stage.
“What a time, it was definitely something that I never took for granted when I was in the game,” Rondo said. “I loved every minute of it, and I appreciate the brotherhood that I was able to share and bond and grow with over the years
“I’ve learned so much in this game and it’s made me the man who I am today. … I tell people all the time, this wasn’t a dream of mine, it was a goal. I was able to lock in, stay disciplined, I didn’t party a lot in college. But it was worth the sacrifice of me getting to where I wanted to be in life.”
During his illustrious career, Rondo was also a four-time All-Defensive Team member, a one-time All-NBA member, a three-time NBA assists leader, a one-time steals leader and a two-time champion.