[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 128 (Tuesday, August 6, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





        TRIBUTE CELEBRATING THE BASKETBALL LEGACY OF LONDON, KY

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 6, 2024

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
glowing basketball legacy in London, Kentucky, now headlined by North 
Laurel High School graduate Reed Sheppard, who was the No. 3 overall 
pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, inspiring young athletes across the 
Bluegrass State.
  Reed Sheppard, the 2023 Mr. Kentucky Basketball and McDonald's All-
American, thrilled the Big Blue Nation, and especially Kentucky's Fifth 
Congressional District, when he chose to follow in his parents' 
footsteps to play basketball at the University of Kentucky. His stellar 
performance for the Wildcats earned national attention and countless 
accolades, including the premiere Freshman of the Year for the National 
Association of Basketball Coaches, the U.S. Basketball Writers 
Association, the Field of 68, Dick Vitale's ``Diaper Dandy'', and the 
highly competitive Southeastern Conference. Reed's shooting percentage 
was unmatched at the college level with 53.6 percent from the floor, 
52.1 percent from the 3-point range and 83.1 percent from the free-
throw line. As exciting as it was to watch him don the blue and white 
jersey, Kentuckians watched in awe as Reed topped his personal best 
performance during the NBA Summer League games against the nation's top 
NBA recruits. He averaged 20 points, 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per 
game, showcasing his skills as an offensive threat and a dominating 
defender.
  Some say it's all in his DNA, and while the Sheppard family certainly 
has talent, it's their hard work and determination on the court that 
has acquired the respect of other basketball legends. His father Jeff, 
who inspired Reed's decision to wear No. 15, won the hearts of Wildcat 
fans as part of the National Championship Teams in 1996 and 1998. The 
Georgia-native star was the 1998 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding 
Player and went on to play in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks and the 
Toronto Raptors, before taking his professional career overseas.
  Reed and his sister Madison, who had an impressive collegiate 
basketball career at Campbellsville University in Kentucky, were 
blessed with a double-dose of talent. Their mother, Stacey Reed 
Sheppard, a Laurel County native, set new records for the University of 
Kentucky Women's Basketball team, becoming the all-time leader in 
steals, ranking among the top 10 in scoring and assists, and earning 
respect as one of the best players in the SEC. She was also a member of 
the USA Women's Basketball Team, representing our Nation and our 
Commonwealth in international competition.
  While the Sheppards strive for championship banners, their pursuit of 
excellence has not been contained to the basketball court. They have 
been generous stewards of our region, donating countless hours and 
resources to give back to their beloved hometown. Stacey founded and 
operated the Laurel County Backpack Club for 16 years and served on the 
Board of Directors for Operation UNITE, while Jeff founded and led 
UNITE's Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camps for 11 years, inspiring 
thousands of students to make good choices on and off the court. After 
the catastrophic flood in Eastern Kentucky in 2022, the entire family 
made the trek to Eastern Kentucky to help cleanout and rebuild homes 
for months with their church, Faith Assembly of God, showing compassion 
that matches their seismic talent.
  The Sheppards are now icons of a Laurel County Basketball Legacy that 
spans nearly a century, starting in 1926 with a team who won the first 
state title and went on to win the Final Four National Championship. 
Since then, Laurel County high school basketball teams have earned 
eight more state basketball titles and 48 trips to the Sweet 16. The 
Laurel County Lady Cardinals legendary coach Roy Bowling was named 
Coach of the Year three times, raising the bar for competitive 
basketball to southeastern Kentucky.
  It is only fitting that the Laurel County Wellness Park now features 
the Sheppard Family Basketball Courts, along with the names of student 
athletes and coaches who pursued excellence for generations. We have 
enormous talent in the mountains, and it is a joy to see our region in 
the national spotlight as a result of such wonderful athletes and 
leaders.

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