On Thursday, Kentucky Wildcats basketball fans received the news that guard Reed Sheppard would not be returning to Lexington. Instead, he will be entering the NBA Draft.
Some fans help out hope that Sheppard would return to Kentucky for another season under Mark Pope, who was a teammate of Reed’s father Jeff. However, as a projected lottery pick in the NBA Draft, it would make little sense to pass up the opportunity now.
Though he’ll have only spent one season with the Wildcats, Sheppard made a big impact. From the start, he became instant energy off the bench, and made play after play on both ends of the floor.
On offense, he proved he can score in a number of ways. He was especially lethal from three-point range, where he made over half of his attempts. He averaged 12.5 points per game.
Defensively, he had struggles at times, but his quick hands and fast reflexes allowed him to lead the SEC in steals at over two per game.
His game-winning shot versus Mississippi State was magical, but he made big shots all season, and fans will certainly miss seeing him in blue and white.
Here is a gallery of some of the best images of Reed Sheppard in his single season as a Wildcat.