Just as he did at the University of Kentucky, rookie guard Reed Sheppard will wear a No. 15 jersey with the Rockets. He showed off the jersey at Tuesday’s introductory press conference in Houston.
Now 20 years old, Sheppard was the No. 3 overall draft pick in the NBA’s 2024 first round. The 6-foot-2 guard made more than 52% of his 3-pointers in his lone collegiate season at Kentucky, where he wore the same No. 15 jersey of his father, Jeff Sheppard.
The elder Sheppard played with the Wildcats from 1993 to 1998, a run which included two national championships in 1996 and 1998.
As for the younger Sheppard and his No. 15 jersey in Houston, previous Rockets to wear that number include Daishen Nix (2022-23), DeMarcus Cousins (2021), Clint Capela (2015-20), Toney Douglas (2013), Joey Dorsey (2009-10), and John Lucas III (2006-07).
The complete historical list for that and all Rockets jersey numbers is available through Basketball Reference.
Sheppard will wear the No. 15 jersey for the first time when Houston opens 2024 summer-league play on July 12 versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Tipoff from Las Vegas is at 6:30 p.m. Central.
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