LEXINGTON, Ky. — Former Kentucky basketball star Reed Sheppard was chosen by the Houston Rockets with the third overall pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday night in New York. He was the first former Wildcat selected.

The former North Laurel High School standout and Kentucky Mr. Basketball winner walked the red carpet in an olive green suit. And, while in the green room ahead of the draft, the son of former Kentucky basketball stars Jeff and Stacey Reed Sheppard and his family celebrated his mom by singing “Happy Birthday.”

The week to remember also included Reed Sheppard throwing the first pitch — to his mom — at a New York Mets-New York Yankees game at Citi Field.

Four of Sheppard’s UK teammates were also eligible to be drafted this year — Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards, Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell.

Sheppard played just one season for the Wildcats, averaging 12.5 points per game. His 3-point percentage of 52.1% led the nation. He was named the 2023-24 National Association of Basketball Coaches National Freshman of the Year. Reed Sheppard was the first winner from UK to earn the honor since it was created for the 2016-17 season.

The 6-foot-3 guard led Kentucky with 148 total assists and 82 total steals.

Other awards earned by Sheppard included USBWA Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year (coaches), All-SEC Second Team (coaches), All-SEC Second Team (AP), All-SEC Freshman Team (coaches), Dick Vitale’s “Diaper Dandy” of the Year, Field of 68 Third-Team All-America, Field of 68 National Freshman of the Year, College Hoops Today National Sixth Man of the Year, ESPN National Freshman of the Year.

©2024 Lexington Herald-Leader. Visit at kentucky.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.