Former UK basketball star returns to his Laurel County roots after tornado devastates community

LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — One of London’s favorite and most famous sons returned to his hometown over the weekend to lend a helping hand.

Former University of Kentucky basketball star and current Houston Rocket Reed Sheppard returned to his roots on Saturday, May 17, after the southeastern region was devastated by tornadoes that killed 19.

“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, ‘Just show up, man, I’ll pick you up in 20 minutes.’ If only for a minute, it’ll lift some people who’ve lost everything’s spirits,” Joshua Maxey wrote.

Maxey said that wasn’t enough for Reed. He wanted to do more.

“We’ve worked like dogs for the best part of the day, and he picked up belongings, toys, roofs, 2x4s, and everything you can imagine,” Maxey said. “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 being raised right and going above and beyond.”

Although Maxey joked that Sheppard wouldn’t be a fan of him snapping a few pictures along the way, he wanted to emphasize that there are still good people who don’t forget where they came from.