Reed Sheppard, the Houston Rockets’ rookie guard and former Kentucky standout, has inked a lucrative shoe deal with Nike, as confirmed by industry expert Nick DePaula. The No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has made a strong start to his pro career, averaging 3.4 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 35.7% from beyond the arc in his first eight games.
In a standout performance during a 127-100 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, Sheppard logged a career-high 20 minutes, contributing five points, two rebounds, and three assists. This came after the 2024 NBA general managers’ survey, where Sheppard was favored to win NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2024-25 season. He also received significant backing as the best player from his rookie class five years down the road.
Sheppard’s impressive summer included being named to the NBA 2K25 All-Summer League First Team. He averaged 20.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game in four appearances, shooting 50% from the field.
Kentucky’s highest NBA draft pick since Karl-Anthony Towns (No. 1 in 2015), Sheppard’s accolades at Kentucky were exceptional. He was named USBWA National Freshman of the Year, joining the ranks of past Wildcats legends John Wall and Anthony Davis. Sheppard’s rookie season at Kentucky saw him average 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, with remarkable shooting percentages (53.6% from the field, 52.1% from three, and 83.1% from the free throw line). He was also honored as SEC Freshman of the Year and a Second-Team All-SEC selection.
Sheppard made history at Kentucky, breaking records in several statistical categories. He topped the school’s freshmen charts in three-point field goal percentage, steals, and free throw percentage. His all-around skills were on display as he became the first Kentucky player with three games of 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a single season. His performance caught the attention of KenPom.com, where he led the nation in three-point percentage and ranked highly in shooting efficiency.
Before his college success, Sheppard was a McDonald’s All-American and ranked No. 43 nationally in the 2023 class, cementing his place as one of the most promising young talents in basketball.
