NEW YORK (WYMT) – North Laurel product and former Kentucky Wildcat Reed Sheppard was chosen No. 3 general by the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, June 26.
Sheppard is the primary Japanese Kentucky native to be drafted into the NBA since Todd Could was chosen in 1987 by the San Antonio Spurs within the fourth spherical.
Todd Could was a star at Virgie, now Shelby Valley Excessive Faculty, who was named the 1982 Mr. Basketball.
Sheppard is Kentucky’s highest draft decide since Karl-Anthony Cities went No. 1 general in 2015.
He’s additionally the best native Kentuckian to play at UK drafted since Rex Champman went No. 8 general in 1988.
Earlier than Sheppard turned his NBA dream into actuality, he achieved lots at the highschool and faculty ranges.
To some outdoors of Japanese Kentucky, the success that Sheppard has skilled might have come as an preliminary shock, however these right here within the Mountains noticed the greatness earlier than anybody else.
In his senior season at North Laurel Excessive Faculty, Sheppard led the boys basketball workforce to a 2023 thirteenth area title, was named a McDonald’s All-American in addition to the 2023 Mr. Basketball in Kentucky.
Sheppard then departed London for Lexington, following within the footsteps of his father and mom, Jeff and Stacy Sheppard, who each starred at UK.
In his lone season as a Kentucky Wildcat, Sheppard averaged 12.5 factors, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and led the nation in three-point capturing at 53.1% from past the arc.
Sheppard was named the SEC Freshman of the Yr in addition to the Nationwide Freshman of the Yr.
Considered one of his shining moments in faculty basketball got here towards Mississippi State, wherein Sheppard dropped a career-high 32 factors, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and hit the game-winning shot.
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