On Monday, the United States Basketball Writers Association named Kentucky Wildcats Freshman Reed Sheppard the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Year. This is the third University of Kentucky Freshman to win this award, along with future number one picks John Wall and Anthony Davis.
Sheppard averaged 12.8 points per game this year for the Wildcats, along with 4.5 assists per game, which ranked third in the SEC. He also shot 52.6% from three this year, which was best in the nation. His true shooting percentage of 70.6% was good for sixth in the nation and his effective field goal percentage of 68.6% was good for seventh.
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Sheppard also added 80 steals on the season, which is the second best in Kentucky history behind only Rajon Rondo who had 87 in a season. He was the only player in the country who had at least 80 steals, at least 145 assists and made at least 70 3-pointers as of this article.
Sheppard can add this award to the numerous honors he has earned this season which include SEC Freshman of the year, second team All-SEC, All-SEC Freshman team, ESPN National Freshman of the year and four time SEC Freshman of the week.
Kentucky opens the NCAA tournament against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Thursday, March 21st at 7 p.m. EST on CBS.