Watch: Reed Sheppard's dad Jeff challenges Rockets rookie for spike ball game at Kentucky's home court
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard is finding added ways to get in game shape ahead of his rookie NBA season, including incorporating spike ball in his training regimen.
The 20-year-old former Kentucky standout was spotted on Friday playing a session of spike ball, a game that incorporates concepts of volleyball, with his dad, Jeff, at the Wildcats' home of Rupp Arena.
Joined by two other companions, the Sheppards were captured on video battling it out and hitting as precisely as possible the ball to a small trampoline-like net. At the end of a long rally, it was the older Sheppard's side that won the point.
Check out the video below:
Reed Sheppard was selected third overall in this year's NBA rookie draft following one season at Kentucky, where his dad also starred in the late 1990s, helping the Wildcats win the national titles in 1996 and 1998.
In his lone year in Lexington, the six-foot-three guard compiled averages of 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals on 53.6% shooting from the floor and 51.1% from three.
With the Rockets, he joins a team that made a 19-game improvement last season, with a record of 41-41 from the 22-60 one it had the previous year.
Reed Sheppard hopes to incorporate his game with Rockets stalwarts Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason.
Rockets official sees smooth transition for Reed Sheppard in the NBA
Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone sees a smooth transition for their top rookie pick Reed Sheppard in the NBA.
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio last July, the Rockets executive shared that they liked what they saw from Sheppard during the Summer League and expect him to adapt well as he begins his journey in The Association.
Stone said (via Sports Illustrated):
"We have seen enough to be pretty comfortable that it would be an easy transition for him; whether easy meant a day or six months. We thought the package was there for him to become a pretty good pick-and-roll player."
Stone's observation was in line with that of Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who raved about the game of Reed Sheppard, particularly his basketball I.Q. Udoka said, by way of ESPN:
"I like his all-around game, his I.Q. Obviously the shooting stands out, but he is very competitive (and) has a high I.Q. I talk about his parents all of the time, his background and what he has been taught his whole career and his life so far. I love what he is doing today."
Reed Sheppard played four games in the 2024 Summer League in Las Vegas and finished with averages of 20 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in 33 minutes of play.