When Reed Sheppard left the Kentucky Wildcats to enter the NBA draft, fans were sure he would be a hit at the next level as well. The Houston Rockets selected him with the third overall pick, and his professional career was set to begin, with all of Big Blue Nation behind him.
Unfortunately, Sheppard’s NBA run got off to a tough start. He played just 12 minutes per game, and averaged just 4.4 points per game. He showed flashes of what made him a high draft pick, but couldn’t find his way into the regular rotation as a rookie.
Year two has been a different story. His minutes are up, and his offensive game is beginning to shine. He’s posting averages of 13.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, and on Wednesday night, did something that not many others have done in the NBA.
Against the Milwaukee Bucks, Sheppard scored 27 points, and added 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. What made the night special was how he scored those points. He was 9-for-14 from three point range, putting him just one short of tying the team record for threes in a game. He is also just one of eight players in NBA history to hit nine threes in a single game before the age of 22, per The Athletic’s Will Guillory.
It was a big night for Sheppard, a historic one. It’s also likely the first of many to come.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Former Kentucky basketball star Reed Sheppard joins exclusive club
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