Ime Udoka raves about Reed Sheppard's 'all-around game' in standout Summer League performance

In one year, Reed Sheppard went from living on Kentucky’s countryside to being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. During the Rockets’ 99-80 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Las Vegas Summer League on Friday, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka raved about his team’s budding star.

“I like his all-around game,” Udoka said. “Obviously, his shooting stands out, but he’s very competitive, has a high IQ. I talk about his parents all the time. You know their background. You know what he’s been taught his whole career, over his whole life so far and I love what he’s doing today.”

Basketball is in Sheppard’s blood. Both of his parents played basketball at Kentucky, where they met. Sheppard’s mom, Stacey, is Kentucky WBB’s all-time leader in steals per game (2.7) and ranks fourth in assists per game (3.9).

Sheppard’s father, Jeff, guided Kentucky to two national championships in 1996 and 1998. For his efforts, he was named the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA tournament in 1998. He played two seasons in the NBA.

Sheppard made his parents proud on Friday evening, erupting for a team-high 23 points, five assists, four rebounds and three blocks while shooting 9-17 from the field and 4-6 from beyond the arc. Before the game, Sheppard revealed his goals for the Las Vegas Summer League.

“I think just being an all-around player and doing whatever it takes to win and just helping my teammates get open shots — just being the best player I can be,” Sheppard said. “It’s been a lot of fun. The biggest thing has been the pace and the spacing. But, you got great players around you and great coaches that make everything easier. So just being out here and playing has been a lot of fun so far.”

In Sheppard’s lone season with the Wildcats, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 53.6% from the floor and 51.1% from beyond the arc, the most accurate single-season 3-point percentage in program history.

While Sheppard wowed NBA scouts with his perimeter skills, he also showed off his will to win. In Kentucky’s 91-89 win over Mississippi State, Sheppard erupted for a career-high 32 points and drained a gutsy game-winning floater.

For his efforts, he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year, an All-SEC Second Team member and the National Association of Basketball Coaches National Freshman of the Year. Now, Reed Sheppard will look to find similar success at the next level.