It’s a birthday Reed Sheppard’s mom, Stacey, surely won’t forget.
Shortly before her son was selected No. 3 overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday, Stacey — a former member of Kentucky’s women’s basketball team — was treated to an intimate birthday party inside the Barclays Center.
Sheppard and his loved ones, including girlfriend Brailey Dizney, serenaded Stacey by singing “Happy Birthday” around a table before she blew out the candle on her cupcake.
Sheppard, who was selected after France’s Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, respectively, gave Stacey a shoutout after hearing his name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
“I’m super excited,” the former Wildcats star told ESPN’s Monica McNutt. “[It’s] my mom’s birthday today, so it’s going to be a great night. It already is a great night, so it’s awesome, I’m super thankful.”
Stacey added the family is “blessed” and “thankful to be here.”
“We’ve got 75 people, family and friends that are here and get to celebrate with them, so, it’s an unbelievable day,” she said on ESPN’s broadcast.
Reed’s father, former Kentucky men’s basketball player Jeff Sheppard, also celebrated his son’s big moment.
“Overwhelmed with appreciation, proud of Reed, God’s been so good to our family, we’re so glad to be here,” he said.
In his lone season at Kentucky, Sheppard averaged 12.5 points per game, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
The 6-foot-2 guard was named SEC Freshman of the Year and Second-team All-SEC in 2024.
Leading up to Wednesday’s draft, Sheppard’s girlfriend teased the accessories the family would be sporting from the Kentucky-based Benqueils Fine Jewelry in a series of Instagram Stories.
Sheppard and Dizney have been dating for more than three years.
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