\u201cTrust me, you\u2019ll never find a better human being than Reed Sheppard,\u201d a resident of London, Kentucky, wrote after Sheppard\u2019s tornado relief efforts. \u201cHe is the epitome of raised right.\u201d<\/p>\n
I know you\u2019ve been tired of hearing it from me for years but let this speak for itself. Reed knew the devastation his…<\/p>\n
Posted by Joshua Maxey<\/a> on\u00a0Saturday, May 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Houston Rockets<\/a> guard Reed Sheppard is a native of London, Kentucky, which suffered significant devastation late last week<\/a> due to a deadly tornado outbreak.<\/p>\n On his personal Instagram account<\/a>, Sheppard posted a story asking followers to offer financial support, if at all possible. But on a personal level, Sheppard went the extra mile.<\/p>\n In a post showing pictures of Sheppard personally assisting in cleanup efforts, London resident Joshua Maxey<\/a> wrote on his Facebook and Instagram accounts:<\/p>\n Reed knew the devastation his hometown received and wanted to do something to help. He called me up to ask what he could do. I said \u201cJust show up, man, I\u2019ll pick you up in 20 minutes. If only for a minute, it\u2019ll lift some people who lost everything… (their) spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n That wasn\u2019t enough for him. He had to do more. We\u2019ve worked like dogs for the best part of the day and he picked up belongings, toys, roofs, two-by-fours (wood), and everything you can imagine. We\u2019ve seen the hurt our people were going through. Yet all he\u2019s done, like always… he was just Reed. He was one of them.<\/p>\n Never forgetting where he came from but being a shoulder to cry on to complete strangers and comforting them with words. This is why we all love him. He is the epitome of raised right, and going above and beyond. Trust me, you\u2019ll never find a better human being than Reed Sheppard. He will wanna kill me for taking these pictures, but I couldn\u2019t help it,. The world needs to knows there\u2019s still good people that don\u2019t forget where they came from.<\/p>\n Now 20 years old, Sheppard played college basketball at the nearby University of Kentucky before being drafted by Houston at No. 3 overall in the 2024 first round.<\/p>\n In a statement posted to his Instagram, Sheppard wrote:<\/p>\n This is where I grew up. Where I learned what hard work, heart, and grit really mean. And now, my hometown is hurting.<\/p>\n The tornado that hit London left behind so much devastation. Families withour homes, and people without basic necessities. But if there’s one thing I know about London, it\u2019s that we don\u2019t back down. We help each other. We rebuild.<\/p>\n I\u2019m asking you to keep Laurel County in your thoughts and prayers. And if you\u2019re able to give or support in any way.<\/p>\n Sheppard did not link to a specific relief program, though Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear posted www.teamkystormrelieffund.ky.gov<\/a> as a location to do so. \u201cFrom funeral expenses for those lost to help rebuilding, every dollar goes directly to Kentuckians affected,\u201d Beshear writes<\/a>.<\/p>\n I want tornado survivors to know we\u2019re thankful they\u2019re here \u2014 and we will help them with everything else. If you\u2019re able, please donate to https:\/\/t.co\/nO9ca8l6Ss<\/a>. From funeral expenses for those lost to help rebuilding, every dollar goes directly to Kentuckians affected. pic.twitter.com\/YnvpSjAwdR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) May 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n