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    Reed Sheppard and girlfriend match in Rockets hats after he’s picked No. 3 in 2024 NBA Draft

    By Jaclyn Hendricks,

    19 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1F81gX_0u67ZITh00

    The newly drafted Reed Sheppard and his girlfriend, Brailey Dizney, wasted no time showing support to his new NBA home Wednesday after the former Kentucky guard was selected No. 3 overall by the Rockets.

    In a photo shared on social media, the couple — who has been together for more than three years — was seen wearing matching Rockets hats after the 2024 NBA Draft festivities at the Barclays Center.

    Dizney joined Sheppard and his family for the big night, which also happened to be his mom, Stacey’s, birthday.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Yw8pu_0u67ZITh00
    Brailey Dizney and boyfriend Reed Sheppard sport matching Rockets hats after the 2024 NBA Draft. Instagram
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=08wp1C_0u67ZITh00
    Brailey Dizney supported the former Kentucky guard during the 2024 NBA Draft. Brailey Dizney/Instagram

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    The group serenaded Stacey , a former member of Kentucky’s women’s basketball team, by singing “Happy Birthday” before she blew out the candle on her cupcake.

    Shortly after the celebrations, the 20-year-old Sheppard heard his name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3qsk7I_0u67ZITh00
    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Reed Sheppard after he was picked No. 3 overall by the Houston Rockets on June 26, 2024. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

    Knicks take Kevin McCullar Jr. with their final pick in 2024 NBA Draft

    Reed Sheppard threw his mom a real special birthday party this year… 🥳

    She'll soon watch him get drafted to the NBA… 8pm/et on ABC & ESPN! pic.twitter.com/cdHjImlJWZ

    — NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 26, 2024

    “I’m super excited,” Sheppard said, according to the Associated Press . “They have a really good thing going in Houston. Coach is really good. They have Jalen [Green]. They have a bunch of really young athletic guys and we’ll be able to play fast and it’s going to be fun.”

    The Rockets, coached by Ime Udoka, finished the 2023-24 season at 41-41 and missed the playoffs.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1GfJ5X_0u67ZITh00
    Reed Sheppard in action for the Kentucky Wildcats in March 2024. Getty Images

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    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2DpoiT_0u67ZITh00
    Brailey Dizney and Reed Sheppard at the Kentucky Derby in May 2024. Getty Images for Churchill Downs

    Sheppard, who spent one season at Kentucky, is ready to soak it all in at the next level.

    “The biggest thing is just going in and learning,” Sheppard said. “They have guys like Fred VanVleet that I’ll be able to learn from. Just going in with an open mind, ready to learn, ready to do whatever it takes to win and just compete.”

    Named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2024, Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists. The 6-foot-2 guard was also named Second-team All-SEC.

    “We ended up with Reed as the best player in the draft by quite a bit, the best prospect we thought … and kind of the only guy we were really focused on,” Rockets GM Rafael Stone said. “So if he had not gotten to us, we would have probably traded down or out of the draft. When we had the opportunity to pick him, we jumped on it.”

    For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/

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