Rockets' Udoka Wants Sheppard to Be More Aggressive

Rockets Coach Wants More Aggression From Second-Year Forward

Udoka Believes Sheppard Has the Potential to Be a Key Contributor

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has challenged second-year forward KJ Sheppard to be more aggressive on the court.

Sheppard, who was drafted by the Rockets with the 42nd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has shown flashes of his potential during his rookie season, but Udoka believes he has another level to reach.

"I want KJ to be more aggressive," Udoka said. "He's a very talented player, but he needs to be more assertive on the court. I want him to attack the basket, rebound more, and be more physical on the defensive end."

Sheppard has averaged 4.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game this season, but his shooting has been inconsistent. He's shooting just 38.2% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range.

Udoka believes that Sheppard's lack of aggression is preventing him from reaching his full potential.

"He's a great shooter, but he needs to be more confident in his ability," Udoka said. "I want him to take more shots and create more for himself and his teammates."

Sheppard has shown signs of improvement in recent games, and Udoka is encouraged by his progress.

"He's starting to get more comfortable out there," Udoka said. "He's making better decisions and playing with more confidence. I'm excited to see what he can do in the future."

The Rockets are currently 13-39 this season, but Udoka is confident that Sheppard can help them improve in the future.

"He's a young player with a lot of potential," Udoka said. "I'm excited to see what he can do in the future."