Tag: Reed Sheppard

Report: Donovan Clingan believed to lead Rockets’ 2024 draft board

“Donovan Clingan is gaining momentum as the No. 1 prospect for the Rockets,” The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reports ahead of next week’s NBA draft.

With Rockets head coach Ime Udoka playing a key role in decisions, Connecticut center Donovan Clingan is believed to be the current leader on Houston’s big board for the 2024 NBA draft.

The Rockets are slotted to pick at No. 3 overall, and it’s entirely possible that Clingan could be selected by Atlanta at No. 1 or Washington at No. 2. That would take Clingan off the board.

But if he’s not, it appears the Rockets are very serious about Clingan, themselves — even when considering the presence of Alperen Sengun as the team’s established starting center.

The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reports:

With Udoka’s presence a significant factor in decision-making, various league sources believe Houston’s big board planning involves three branches in addition to the other respected voices in the war room:

  1. The upside and positional versatility angle, spearheaded by Stone.
  2. The analytical angle, courtesy of assistant general manager Eli Witus.
  3. The win-now, defensive-oriented angle, from Udoka.

There are a few prospects who theoretically fit in at least two of these three categories but in recent days, Clingan and [Reed] Sheppard have separated themselves from the likes of Stephon Castle, [Alex] Sarr, and [Zaccharie] Risacher on Houston’s big board, league and team sources said. Clingan, the 20-year-old big man, is believed to be the current leader, seen as the only player who fits all three categories.

Sheppard, a guard from Kentucky, is expected to visit the Rockets for a private workout by the end of this week, Iko reports.

The first round will take place next Wednesday night, June 26.

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ESPN: Rockets showing serious draft interest in Reed Sheppard

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo on Reed Sheppard: “The Rockets have demonstrated serious interest in him at No. 3, with both the front office and ownership intrigued.”

In one of the first reports of the 2024 NBA draft cycle citing internal views from the Rockets, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo reports that Houston is showing serious interest in Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard.

The Rockets currently own the No. 3 overall pick of the first round, and Sheppard is a popular mock-draft projection at that slot.

As part of ESPN’s latest mock draft, Woo writes:

It feels like Sheppard’s range of draft outcomes is quite narrow at this point. The Rockets have demonstrated serious interest in him at No. 3, with both the front office and ownership intrigued by his fit as a shooter and playmaker next to their established young talent.

Should Houston decide to trade back or go another direction, San Antonio is also quite intrigued with Sheppard and will be in position to pounce one pick later.

Houston has been testing the market for this pick, which holds trade value due in part to the thought that Clingan, who many teams view as a potential trade-up target, will be available if the first two picks go as currently expected. Regardless, Sheppard’s shooting ability, intangibles, and room for growth as a playmaker have put him in position to be the first guard off the board, completing his ascent from a November curiosity into a full-blown lottery talent.

A 6-foot-3, 182-pound guard, Sheppard was incredibly efficient in his one season at Kentucky, shooting 53.6% overall and a blistering 52.1% on 3-pointers. In all, the 19-year-old averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game.

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Rob Dillingham is among the second group of players invited to the draft green room

Dillingham conducted his required combine testing on Friday, clearing the way for him to become eligible to be selected in the draft.

Former Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham reportedly conducted his required combine testing, clearing the way for him to become eligible to be selected in the 2024 NBA draft.

Dillingham wasn’t able to participate in on-court testing last month at the combine because of an ankle injury. He was cleared this week from the injury and completed the requirements in front of teams on Friday at the Los Angeles Lakers‘ practice facility.

The 19-year-old was among the second group of prospects who received invitations from the NBA to attend the draft in the green room on June 26-27 at the Barlcays Center in Brooklyn, New York, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Teams with first-round picks each year vote on the players they believe will be drafted early, typically the top 20-25 prospects. Last year, 25 prospects were invited to the green room and only one wasn’t selected in the first round (Rayan Rupert, 43rd overall pick).

Included in the second batch of invitations were Serbian guard Nikola Topić, Duke players Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski, Miami forward Kyshawn George, USC guard Isaiah Collier, Baylor center Yves Missi and Kansas forward Johnny Furphy.

The first group of players invited to the green room included French players Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr and Tidjane Salaün; UConn players Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle; G League Ignite players Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland; and Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard.

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The Ringer: ‘Little bit of doubt’ surrounding Reed Sheppard, Rockets

The Ringer’s J. Kyle Mann: “Lately, I’ve heard a little bit of doubt cast on the Sheppard thing with the Rockets. We’ll see if that’s a smokescreen or not.”

Ever since the Houston Rockets surprisingly landed the No. 3 overall draft pick in the 2024 first round, Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard has been a projected favorite in the NBA’s mock-draft community.

But, with the June 26 first round now two weeks away, could momentum be starting to turn in a different direction?

On Wednesday’s newly released episode of The Ringer’s NBA Draft Show, J. Kyle Mann told Kevin O’Connor:

Lately, I’ve heard a little bit of doubt cast on the Sheppard thing with the Rockets. We’ll see if that’s a smokescreen or not, but I still think they should take him.

The full episode can be listened to below. Sheppard is regarded as one of the best and most efficient shooters of the 2024 NBA draft class, but the sample is relatively small after playing just one season off Kentucky’s bench. Moreover, he’s somewhat undersized (6-foot-3, 182 pounds) for a player who isn’t viewed as a pure point guard.

If Houston doesn’t trade the No. 3 pick, other potential draft names under consideration (beyond Sheppard) could include Connecticut center Donovan Clingan; Connecticut guard Stephon Castle; and French forwards Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher.

Some of these prospects could take private workout visits to Houston during the days leading up to the draft, which could further nudge the Rockets in one direction or another. Stay tuned!

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Reed Sheppard is hosting a fantasy experience at Rupp Arena

Former Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard is hosting a fantasy camp in Lexington in August.

Not long ago, former Kentucky basketball star Antonio Reeves hosted a basketball camp in Lexington. Now, Reed Sheppard will be coming back to the Bluegrass State for an event known as the “Reed Sheppard Fantasy Experience.”

The fantasy camp will feature games, skills contests, and some former Kentucky greats for those who attend. The website says the following:

Whether you’re an avid basketball player or just a die-hard fan, our Fantasy Camp offers an unforgettable experience tailored to all skills-levels. Ball out in the evaluation game and skills contest, run on the same hardwood as the stars during 5v5 play, mingle with Kentucky greats past and present, and climb the ladder to cut down the net after winning a Championship.

It will take place over the course of two days, August 23rd and 24th, and will feature two separate packages. The cost of both is $2500.

The Coaching Package is for attendees 21 years of age and older, while the Playing Package requires an age of 30 or more. Both packages have several events included.

It sounds like a cool event for Kentucky fans, or Sheppard fans to attend.

Projected lottery pick Reed Sheppard names the underrated part of his game

Reed Sheppard emerged as an elite shooter and defender at Kentucky, but he wants to showcase his overall ability at the next level.

Reed Sheppard emerged as an elite shooter and defender at Kentucky, but the SEC Freshman of the Year wants to showcase his overall ability at the next level.

Sheppard was also named to the All-SEC second team after averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals on 52.1% shooting from 3-point range. He had seven 20-point games, including a season-high 32 points and the game-winning shot on Feb. 27.

The 6-foot-3 guard led the country in 3-point percentage and finished 10th in total steals (82). He was the only player in the country to record at least 145 assists, 80 steals and 75 3-pointers, and just the second in program history with 80 or more steals in a season.

After becoming known as a sharpshooter, Reed believes there are other elements of his game that he brings to the NBA. Reed, speaking on “Podcast P with Paul George” presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, named his underrated qualities.

I think the overall basketball, playmaking and getting my teammates involved. Sometimes that stuff doesn’t show up on a stat sheet or isn’t what’s going to be on the Instagram videos and all of that stuff. That’s not what the highlights are about; all of the highlights are about scoring or a block or a steal and going and dunking it. It’s not a lot about making the right play or the right pass. I think just playing basketball the right way and always making the right play, whether that’s one more drive and kick or whatever it is and always making the right play for the team.

Sheppard, who will turn 20 this month, was one of the top performers last month at the draft combine in Chicago, Illinois. He finished eighth in the standing vertical jump (32 1/2 inches) and was tied for the highest max vertical jump (42 inches) among all participants.

He is projected to be a top-five pick and is even in the conversation by some to be the first player selected on June 26. He brings versatility to the next level as a combo guard and has the potential to develop into one of the top shooters in the league.

Sheppard has had a monumental rise up draft boards throughout the season and is now expected to be a high pick. He is enjoying the process and eager to begin the next chapter of his career.

“Coming into the season, if you would have told me that, I probably would have laughed at you,” Sheppard said. “That wasn’t what I had in my head at all. I was just wanting to go out and have fun and play. The season was great, so being in this position is crazy and a lot of fun. I’m super, super happy and the whole process has been unbelievable for me and my whole family.”

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Mock draft sees Spurs take Reed Sheppard with No. 4 pick

In this mock draft, the San Antonio Spurs picked Reed Sheppard with the fourth pick.

The San Antonio Spurs have two top-10 picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. With them, they should be able to snag some great young talent to put next to Victor Wembanyama. In a recent mock draft written by Travis Branham of CBS Sports, the Spurs selected Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard with the fourth pick.

“As the Spurs look to build around its superstar and last year’s No. 1 pick, Victor Wembanyama, there’s not a more fitting player for the organization than Sheppard,” Branham wrote. “Sheppard is an analytical darling who complements all of those around him with his skill, feel and IQ. He’s a connector, playmaker and lethal shooter from deep.”

Sheppard’s shot creation and elite three-point shooting make him a great fit next to Wembanyama, especially considering how badly they need their offense to improve.

Snagging Sheppard would be a great pick for the Spurs if they could get him with either of their top picks.

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Report: Some 2024 NBA draft models rank Reed Sheppard as top prospect

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony: “Several teams have said that Reed Sheppard’s statistical profile have him ranked as the No. 1 prospect in their draft models.”

With elite shooting and scoring efficiency, freshman Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard is something of an analytics darling.

That could make him a prime target for NBA teams that consider analytics heavily, such as the Houston Rockets, who will pick at No. 3 on June 26.

Per Jonathan Givony, draft insider for ESPN:

Several teams have said that Sheppard’s statistical profile — with his incredible scoring efficiency (56% FG, 52% 3-point shooting%, 83% free throws) combined with his excellent steal, block and passing metrics — have him ranked as the No. 1 prospect in their draft models, something that surely has caught the attention of analytically inclined front offices, such as the Houston Rockets.

Perhaps with that in mind, Givony’s latest mock draft projects Sheppard to go to Houston with the third overall selection.

Givony projects French forwards Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher to be selected by Atlanta (No. 1) and Washington (No. 2), which would take them off the board for Houston’s pick. However, he notes Connecticut center Donovan Clingan could be under consideration by the Hawks. Stay tuned!

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The Utah Jazz are reportedly interested in guard Reed Sheppard in the NBA draft

The Utah Jazz reportedly are interested in drafting former Kentucky basketball star Reed Sheppard.

Reed Sheppard put on a show for scouts and coaches at the NBA Draft Combine. As the draft process has gone along, he has done nothing but improve his draft stock, and one team appears to be very interested in him.

According to Sarah Todd of the Deseret News, the Utah Jazz have been impressed with the former Kentucky basketball star, and he could be on their short list of draft targets. She had this to say about Sheppard:

Kentucky freshman guard Reed Sheppard tested incredibly well at the combine. Though measuring in at just 6-feet-1.75 inches without shoes on, he posted the eighth-best standing vertical leap and fourth-best max vertical leap among all combine participants. The Jazz were already intrigued by Sheppard’s athleticism and skill, but he also had a great interview with the Jazz.

The Jazz interviewed a number of players, with Sheppard among them. They seem to have a need at guard, and his versatility would add extra value. The issue for Utah is that they don’t pick until the number ten spot. It’s unlikely that Sheppard is available at that spot, so a trade up will probably be required.

Sheppard has had a meteoric rise from being the 79th ranked recruit in the 2023 class to possibly being a top five pick in the NBA draft. The Jazz, though, might like it if he fell just a little big farther on draft night.

Podcast: USA TODAY’s Bryan Kalbrosky on Rockets, NBA Draft chatter

Bryan Kalbrosky, national NBA staff writer with USA TODAY’s For The Win, shares his insight and perspective on Houston’s 2024 draft plans.

Bryan Kalbrosky, national NBA staff writer at USA TODAY’s For The Win, shares the latest intel and scouting analysis related to the Rockets and their No. 3 overall draft pick in the 2024 draft. His latest mock draft projects Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard to Houston.

Hosted by Rockets podcasters Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, discussion topics include a wave of recent rumors linking Sheppard to Houston. Other subjects include alternative options such as Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Alex Sarr, trade scenarios, and more.

The show also features perspective on Houston’s improved placement in the Western Conference, and why the Rockets were justified in giving a contract extension to general manager Rafael Stone.

Thursday’s interview, which is sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, can be listened to below in its entirety. Each episode is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 and all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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