Rockets guards Reed Sheppard and Josh Okogie shot pool hoops at the Great Wolf Lodge to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.
Josh Okogie on his fit with the Rockets: “Match made in heaven.”
Good stuff from @CallMe_NonStop on the leadership of Kevin Durant and Ime Udoka, his acclimation to Houston and its Nigerian community, his 3-point improvements, and more: pic.twitter.com/Er3Fj5BCzO
— The Rockets Wire (@TheRocketsWire) September 24, 2025
On Wednesday afternoon, the Houston-area Great Wolf Lodge celebrated its one-year anniversary with Rockets guards Josh Okogie and Reed Sheppard, who hosted a charity event at the indoor waterpark to give back to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.
Okogie, newly signed to the Rockets and eager to make his mark in the Houston community, was joined by Sheppard and several Boys and Girls Club children and their families for a feel-good fundraising challenge.
The event took place at the resort’s sports playground, where Okogie and Sheppard competed in a shooting contest from the pool — with Boys and Girls Club children providing assistance by rebounding and retrieving basketballs and passing them back to players for their next shot.
The players had four-and-a-half minutes to make as many baskets as possible, shooting from different distances in the pool. For each made shot, Great Wolf Lodge donated between $25 and $75, with a total donation pledge of $10,000 to support the organization’s local programming.
Following the challenge, Okogie and the kids celebrated by sliding down one of the resort’s waterslides together.
“They reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to do something like this,” Okogie told Rockets Wire. “I read an overview, and this is what I’m all about. Giving back to the kids and the community, and having fun with it, as well.”
With training camp for the 2025-26 Rockets opening next Tuesday, September 30, Okogie made it a priority to get involved in his new community over the summer.
“When the season starts, you don’t really have time to be able to do different things, because you’re so focused on basketball,” said Okogie, who signed with the Rockets in July. “The times like this when you can meet people here and there, it’s very important.”
Sheppard, who is entering his second season with the Rockets, knew of Okogie prior to free agency but didn’t know him personally. That has changed in recent weeks, and he was happy to join forces for the community.
“Any time you can give back to an organization like the Boys and Girls Club, it’s really cool,” said Sheppard, who joined Okogie at the Webster facility in suburban Houston. “It’s been really good getting to know him, and getting to come here for this event.”
Pictures and videos of Wednesday’s event are available below.
Reed Sheppard on his 2025 offseason: “I think the biggest thing was getting in the weight room.”
Reed says he’ll have the same approach as a player, whether he starts or comes off the bench pic.twitter.com/IwFy3k9iZ4
— The Rockets Wire (@TheRocketsWire) September 24, 2025
Houston Rockets guards Reed Sheppard and Josh Okogie get in the pool at Great Wolf to shoot baskets with Boys & Girls Club kids. Part of a charity event that also sees Okogie go down the water raft slide. pic.twitter.com/MCmEoMpj0l
— Chris Baldwin (@ChrisYBaldwin) September 24, 2025