June 26, 2024 • 8 mins
Rockets first round draft pick Reed Sheppard joins Adam Wexler, Ross Villareal and Stan Norfleet after being picked number 3 overall. The Kentucky guard talks about his excitement of teaming up with Ime Udoka, what he wants to work on and growing up with accomplished basketball parents.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Luckily enough for us here on ourSports Talk seven to ninety Draft show.
The player of the Rockets drafted atnumber three is here with us except to
join us now. That is ReedShepherd from Kentucky. Red. You got
Adam stan and Ross with you.A pleasure for us to welcome you to
Houston. What do you know aboutyour new head coach and your team here
in Houston? Yeah, what's up, guys. I appreciate I appreciate you
(00:23):
having me on. First off,I'm super excited to get started. I
can't wait. You know, Iknow, I know. Coach is a
is a really good coach. Itwas just down a few weeks ago,
so I was really good to getwith him. He had he meet all
the coaches and some of the players, so so he's a really young team,
a really good team. So Ican't wait to can't wait to get
(00:45):
there and get things rolling. Reedstaying Northfleet here. Congratulations young man,
and welcome to Houston. So happyto have you. I'm a little biased
myself giving it My broadcast career beganthere in Lexington, had a lot of
nights at Malone's and ten Rue,all of the places there on Nicholasville a
new circle. So you know allabout that? All right, let me
bring it back. Let's talk tothe haters because we had a call.
(01:08):
We had a call right off therip and the guy said, I'm cool
with the offense, but the sizeand the defense has some question marks.
As teams were evaluating you and workingyou out looking at the tape, what
has been your response and what canwe expect from you on the defensive side
giving your statue at the moment.Yeah, well with the with the size
(01:32):
part, you know, I'm sixthree. I can't I'm not going to
grow, so I can't help thatpart. But but you know, you
know, defensively, it's it's justlearning and and I'm going to compete.
I will fight every possession, andyou know, I'm ready to go out
and go to war with my withmy teammates and for my coaches. I'm
(01:52):
going to do whatever it takes onboth ends to win and put the team
in the best position to win thatwe possibly in. What has this process
been like for you, rossill youas well read as far as you know
working out with the Houston Rockets,did you kind of have a feeling that
this is where you were going toend up, and it just went like
(02:12):
since the end of the season towhere we are, Now, what has
it been like for you? Yeah, it's been It's been an unbelievable ride.
You know, it was long,but it was it was awesome.
The process has been amazing, andI'm super thankful to be in the position
that I'm in. And uh,you know, with my with my workout
with the Rockets, it was itwas unbelievable. Uh, being able to
(02:35):
interact with the coaches and some ofthe guys and and everyone on staff.
You know, you could feel,you could just feel how how close to
everyone is and how how like Iwas. Just I felt welcome and and
I knew I was if I hadthe chance to go there, I was
gonna be pumped up if that's ifthat's where I end up. And and
that's what happened. So I'm superexcited and I can't wait to get them
and going. I'm glad you're givingus a little insight on what that was
(02:59):
like working out with the Rockets andhow that felt for you. I'm sure
you've heard a lot of the analysisof your game. If you were talking
about how you play, what youdo defensively what you can do offensively beyond
what the numbers say, How wouldyou describe yourself? Yeah, I think
I think the biggest thing is justa guy that's gonna come out every day,
(03:20):
every game and compete and play ashard as he can, and he's
gonna make make the right play,you know, if it's if it's shooting,
it's shooting. If it's not,it's not. But whatever it takes
to help my team win and besuccessful, I'm gonna do. And just
someone who's gonna always always be smilingand having fun while he's playing, and
just just being positive and just beingout there and just enjoying it and competing.
(03:47):
We're talking with Red Shepherd, thenewly acquired third overall picks are Houston
Rockets here on your home of RocketsBasketball Sports Talk seven ninety and the legendary
KB and me Reachepard out of theUniversity Kentucky. And I think for my
next question read I go to expectations, and this may del tail a little
bit off. What Ross asked you? What has email you Doka, what
(04:10):
has rockhael Stone? What have theytold you about your expectations in terms of
your immediate contribution and place down immediatelycoming in day one. As we get
into the twenty four to twenty fiveseason, Yeah, I think the biggest
thing is my shooting, you know. But they also say, just just
continue to do what you do.We'll coach you. We'll get better every
(04:33):
day in practice and competing and throughoutthe season, we'll get better and learn.
But the biggest thing is the shootingand just being able to play basketball
the right way and having a highIQ and just just playing the right way
and just just having fun out thereand keeping the team together. And one
(04:53):
of the things that you if youwere looking at yourself in the mirror and
talking about I want to improve thisor this is something that I want to
get better at and work at andwork on it. As far as wrinkles
in your game, yeah, Ithink I think everything. You know.
I couldn't tell you one one piecethat I'm really working to get better at,
but just continue to get in thegym every day and work on shooting,
(05:16):
ball, handling, passing, guarding, everything, just just the overall
aspect of basketball and figuring out howto become the best player that I can
be. Would you be able todescribe the last twenty four hours or so,
or maybe even the last hour andchange, and what that's been like
for you and your family. It'sbeen it's been unbelievable. I don't think
(05:38):
I could explain it, but it'sbeen. It's been awesome, and I'm
super super thankful to be in theposition that I'm in. It's my mom's
birthday today, so the Houston RocketsI've given my mom a great birthday present.
So it's been a it's been areally fun twenty four hours. For
sure. You mentioned your mom andthen obviously your was a baller there in
(06:00):
Lexington at the University of Kentucky.Your dad former most outstanding player in the
national champion in his own right.Jeff, what is your sense of connectivity
in terms of the legacy that youhope believe and in furthering the family along?
Are you motivated and trying to bebetter than the parents? Have you
already accomplished that? What what's gonnabe your mark and the motivation? Thank
(06:23):
you moving forward? Yeah? Ithink I think just just it's it's basketball.
You know, I love the gameof basketball, So that's what that's
really what pushes me to just getin the gym every day, the competition,
the the love for the game.Really it's it's just a really fun
game. And and you know dadthat Dad won two national championships at Kentucky.
(06:45):
I didn't win any. So hopefullyI can. Hopefully I can win
a win a world championship, andthen I can be better. But but
you know, just coming in everyday, learning and competing and just just
having fun playing basketball, it's Ican't wait to get this get the same
role. Yeah, And that's whatI was gonna ask with the parents and
with basketball. Was that ever,like just the journey for you growing up?
(07:11):
Was that something the parents encouraged too? That was that something you were
always drawn to as as far asyour love of the game of basketball from
Kentucky, of course, he grewup with a ball in his group.
No, I mean, I meanI played I played every sport until sixth
grade. So I played baseball,soccer, and football, and then I
stopped in sixth grade. And Iwas just I just love basketball being in
the gym. I was always inthe gym, so I just loved it
(07:34):
and competing every day was a lotof fun. And it's just it's just
it's my favorite aiming to do inthis whole world, So I can't wait
to get in Houston and get thatstarted. Well, Reid, we appreciate
the time. Last question for youreal quick. Do you have any previous
relationship with any now new current Rocketsteammates. I don't. I don't have
(07:57):
any, but I can't wait toget the thing Roland and build relationships with
all the guys. Well. Rate, We're looking forward to having you here
in Houston. I'm sure we'll getto meet you real soon. Appreciate you
joining us here on the flagship stationand welcome to the Houston Rockets. Yes,
Eric, thank you guys,
Luckily enough for us here on ourSports Talk seven to ninety Draft show.
The player of the Rockets drafted atnumber three is here with us except to
join us now. That is ReedShepherd from Kentucky. Red. You got
Adam stan and Ross with you.A pleasure for us to welcome you to
Houston. What do you know aboutyour new head coach and your team here
in Houston? Yeah, what's up, guys. I appreciate I appreciate you
(00:23):
having me on. First off,I'm super excited to get started. I
can't wait. You know, Iknow, I know. Coach is a
is a really good coach. Itwas just down a few weeks ago,
so I was really good to getwith him. He had he meet all
the coaches and some of the players, so so he's a really young team,
a really good team. So Ican't wait to can't wait to get
(00:45):
there and get things rolling. Reedstaying Northfleet here. Congratulations young man,
and welcome to Houston. So happyto have you. I'm a little biased
myself giving it My broadcast career beganthere in Lexington, had a lot of
nights at Malone's and ten Rue,all of the places there on Nicholasville a
new circle. So you know allabout that? All right, let me
bring it back. Let's talk tothe haters because we had a call.
(01:08):
We had a call right off therip and the guy said, I'm cool
with the offense, but the sizeand the defense has some question marks.
As teams were evaluating you and workingyou out looking at the tape, what
has been your response and what canwe expect from you on the defensive side
giving your statue at the moment.Yeah, well with the with the size
(01:32):
part, you know, I'm sixthree. I can't I'm not going to
grow, so I can't help thatpart. But but you know, you
know, defensively, it's it's justlearning and and I'm going to compete.
I will fight every possession, andyou know, I'm ready to go out
and go to war with my withmy teammates and for my coaches. I'm
(01:52):
going to do whatever it takes onboth ends to win and put the team
in the best position to win thatwe possibly in. What has this process
been like for you, rossill youas well read as far as you know
working out with the Houston Rockets,did you kind of have a feeling that
this is where you were going toend up, and it just went like
(02:12):
since the end of the season towhere we are, Now, what has
it been like for you? Yeah, it's been It's been an unbelievable ride.
You know, it was long,but it was it was awesome.
The process has been amazing, andI'm super thankful to be in the position
that I'm in. And uh,you know, with my with my workout
with the Rockets, it was itwas unbelievable. Uh, being able to
(02:35):
interact with the coaches and some ofthe guys and and everyone on staff.
You know, you could feel,you could just feel how how close to
everyone is and how how like Iwas. Just I felt welcome and and
I knew I was if I hadthe chance to go there, I was
gonna be pumped up if that's ifthat's where I end up. And and
that's what happened. So I'm superexcited and I can't wait to get them
and going. I'm glad you're givingus a little insight on what that was
(02:59):
like working out with the Rockets andhow that felt for you. I'm sure
you've heard a lot of the analysisof your game. If you were talking
about how you play, what youdo defensively what you can do offensively beyond
what the numbers say, How wouldyou describe yourself? Yeah, I think
I think the biggest thing is justa guy that's gonna come out every day,
(03:20):
every game and compete and play ashard as he can, and he's
gonna make make the right play,you know, if it's if it's shooting,
it's shooting. If it's not,it's not. But whatever it takes
to help my team win and besuccessful, I'm gonna do. And just
someone who's gonna always always be smilingand having fun while he's playing, and
just just being positive and just beingout there and just enjoying it and competing.
(03:47):
We're talking with Red Shepherd, thenewly acquired third overall picks are Houston
Rockets here on your home of RocketsBasketball Sports Talk seven ninety and the legendary
KB and me Reachepard out of theUniversity Kentucky. And I think for my
next question read I go to expectations, and this may del tail a little
bit off. What Ross asked you? What has email you Doka, what
(04:10):
has rockhael Stone? What have theytold you about your expectations in terms of
your immediate contribution and place down immediatelycoming in day one. As we get
into the twenty four to twenty fiveseason, Yeah, I think the biggest
thing is my shooting, you know. But they also say, just just
continue to do what you do.We'll coach you. We'll get better every
(04:33):
day in practice and competing and throughoutthe season, we'll get better and learn.
But the biggest thing is the shootingand just being able to play basketball
the right way and having a highIQ and just just playing the right way
and just just having fun out thereand keeping the team together. And one
(04:53):
of the things that you if youwere looking at yourself in the mirror and
talking about I want to improve thisor this is something that I want to
get better at and work at andwork on it. As far as wrinkles
in your game, yeah, Ithink I think everything. You know.
I couldn't tell you one one piecethat I'm really working to get better at,
but just continue to get in thegym every day and work on shooting,
(05:16):
ball, handling, passing, guarding, everything, just just the overall
aspect of basketball and figuring out howto become the best player that I can
be. Would you be able todescribe the last twenty four hours or so,
or maybe even the last hour andchange, and what that's been like
for you and your family. It'sbeen it's been unbelievable. I don't think
(05:38):
I could explain it, but it'sbeen. It's been awesome, and I'm
super super thankful to be in theposition that I'm in. It's my mom's
birthday today, so the Houston RocketsI've given my mom a great birthday present.
So it's been a it's been areally fun twenty four hours. For
sure. You mentioned your mom andthen obviously your was a baller there in
(06:00):
Lexington at the University of Kentucky.Your dad former most outstanding player in the
national champion in his own right.Jeff, what is your sense of connectivity
in terms of the legacy that youhope believe and in furthering the family along?
Are you motivated and trying to bebetter than the parents? Have you
already accomplished that? What what's gonnabe your mark and the motivation? Thank
(06:23):
you moving forward? Yeah? Ithink I think just just it's it's basketball.
You know, I love the gameof basketball, So that's what that's
really what pushes me to just getin the gym every day, the competition,
the the love for the game.Really it's it's just a really fun
game. And and you know dadthat Dad won two national championships at Kentucky.
(06:45):
I didn't win any. So hopefullyI can. Hopefully I can win
a win a world championship, andthen I can be better. But but
you know, just coming in everyday, learning and competing and just just
having fun playing basketball, it's Ican't wait to get this get the same
role. Yeah, And that's whatI was gonna ask with the parents and
with basketball. Was that ever,like just the journey for you growing up?
(07:11):
Was that something the parents encouraged too? That was that something you were
always drawn to as as far asyour love of the game of basketball from
Kentucky, of course, he grewup with a ball in his group.
No, I mean, I meanI played I played every sport until sixth
grade. So I played baseball,soccer, and football, and then I
stopped in sixth grade. And Iwas just I just love basketball being in
the gym. I was always inthe gym, so I just loved it
(07:34):
and competing every day was a lotof fun. And it's just it's just
it's my favorite aiming to do inthis whole world, So I can't wait
to get in Houston and get thatstarted. Well, Reid, we appreciate
the time. Last question for youreal quick. Do you have any previous
relationship with any now new current Rocketsteammates. I don't. I don't have
(07:57):
any, but I can't wait toget the thing Roland and build relationships with
all the guys. Well. Rate, We're looking forward to having you here
in Houston. I'm sure we'll getto meet you real soon. Appreciate you
joining us here on the flagship stationand welcome to the Houston Rockets. Yes,
Eric, thank you guys,
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