Convenience Big Store: Douple play: Rockets get their man and Astros reach .500

Today's starting lineup

We shouldn't be surprised but Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said Houston thought Reed Sheppard was the best prospect in the draft and if he wasn't available at No. 3, the Rockets would have traded the pick.

But Sheppard was available and Houston went with the guard from Kentucky with the ability to make the outside shot. Matt Young tells us what to know about the newest Rocket.

The NBA split this year's draft into two days. Jonathan Feigen recaps the first round with an early look at what to expect in Thursday's second round.

Well, it nearly took until the halfway mark of the season but the Astros are back at .500 after a 7-1 win over the Rockies for their seventh victory in a row. Spencer Arrighetti had his best start of the season with 10 strikeouts in seven innings.

In Austin, the Longhorns introduced Jim Schlossnagle as their new head coach. How hard to Texas try to keep it under the radar? Athletic director Chris Del Conte waited at a cemetery in Snook before meeting Schlossnagle in person. Schlossnagle says there was no easy way to leave A&M but that's the way it is in college athletics.

Why did Texas go to College Station for its next coach? The Aggies were getting too good, Kirk Bohls writes.

At UH, the Cougars are looking for an athletic director to replace Chris Pezman. Joseph Duarte looks at five factors for the new AD. Raising money, of course, is at the top of the list. The football stadium will have a new name as well.

Lest we forget the Texans, Houston has a chance to have three 1,000-yard receivers. Jonathan M. Alexander looks at what Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell have to do to reach that mark.

Stat of the day: 10. The 10 strikeouts by Astros' starter Spencer Arrighetti were the most by any Houston pitcher this season.

Reid Laymance, Sports Editor

reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Rockets / NBA

Reed Sheppard walks the red carpet before the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Photo by: Julia Nikhinson, Associated Press

Rockets say Reed Sheppard was 'best player in draft by quite a bit'

Rockets rated Reed Sheppard so highly they would have traded No. 3 pick if he wasn't available

On target: After finishing 23rd in 3-point percentage this past season, Houston addressed its need for a perimeter shooter.
Meet Reed Sheppard: What to know about the guard from Kentucky taken with the No. 3 pick.
Day 1 recap: The Rockets landed a shooter in Reed Sheppard at No. 3 and despite predraft hints of trade are keeping him.

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) hits a single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner in the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Astros move back to .500 as win streak hits seven games

The Astros swept the Rockies and are back to even for the first time all season.

Best start: In his most impressive outing to date, rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti threw seven highly efficient scoreless innings to subdue the Rockies.
Season over: J.P. France will have season-ending shoulder surgery.
Another catcher: The Astros added Omar Narváez, who offers experienced depth as he has logged 677 games in the majors across nine seasons, has played for the White Sox, Mariners, Brewers and Mets.
Dusty TV: Dusty Baker has not done many interviews since leaving the Astros in October, but he may be talking about them soon on TV.
Injury report: Astros manager Joe Espada reported some progress for injured stars Kyle Tucker and Justin Verlander in their recoveries.

College Baseball

After falling in the SEC tournament, Texas A&M and head coach Jim Schlossnagle look to get back to the Aggies' winning ways at home during the NCAA Tournament.

Photo by: Hilary Scheinuk/Associated Press

Why Texas had to hire Jim Schlossnagle. The Aggies were getting too good

In three seasons at Texas A&M, Jim Schlossnagle had turned the Aggies into what Texas used to be and the Longhorns couldn't take that

The cemetery plot: Chris Del Conte took an unusual path to landing the Longhorns' new baseball coach, keeping things clandestine by meeting at a highly unusual location.
Departure signs: Regarding the quick turnaround from CWS final to job switch, UT's new coach said: "I just don't know any other way it could have been done."
The Jim Schlossnagle file: Jim Schlossnagle has proven to be a program changer, experiencing success every place he's coached.

UH athletics

Houston plays Texas during a sold-out NCAA college football game at TDECU Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer

What's on tap for UH's next athletic director? 5 key things to address

As UH looks to hire a new athletic director, raising money is at the top of the list.

Name change: TDECU Stadium is expected to change its name as part of an ongoing rebrand for the Lake Jackson-based financial cooperative, but it will not impact the existing agreement.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans Stefon Diggs (1) warms up during an NFL mandatory mini camp practice Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

3 receivers with 1,000 yards? Texans have the potential to make it happen

Only five teams have achieved the feat. But if Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell are all unselfish, each can thrive.

Olympics

COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO - JUNE 01: Alex Morgan #13 of the U.S. Women's National Team looks on before the game against South Korea at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on June 1, 2024 in Commerce City, Colorado.

Photo by: C. Morgan Engel, Getty Images

USWNT's Olympic roster invites change and controversy

When the U.S. women's Olympic soccer team was announced, one name was notably missing: Alex Morgan. Combined with the inclusion of controversial Korbin Albert, it seemed to signal a culture shift.