Tag: Reed Sheppard

2024 NBA Draft Combine: Winners and losers

The 2024 NBA Draft Combine has concluded, and as the dust settles in Chicago, we review the most significant winners and losers from this year’s pre-draft event. Despite being considered one of the weakest drafts in recent memory, the combine still …

The 2024 NBA Draft Combine has concluded, and as the dust settles in Chicago, we review the most significant winners and losers from this year’s pre-draft event. Despite being considered one of the weakest drafts in recent memory, the combine still plays a crucial role. It helps fringe lottery picks, determines if a player is a late first-rounder or early second-rounder, and boosts the chances of players who might have gone undrafted. With the draft just over a month away, here’s a breakdown of the standout moments and performances from this year’s combine.

Spurs NBA Draft: Reed Sheppard raised his stock at NBA Draft Combine

Could the San Antonio Spurs look into drafting Reed Sheppard?

The San Antonio Spurs have two top-10 picks in this year’s draft, sitting at four and eight. Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard could be a potential draft candidate, and according to Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, he raised his draft stock at the NBA Draft Combine.

“Scouts surely expected Reed Sheppard to show out in shooting drills, and he certainly didn’t disappoint on that front,” Buckley wrote. “What they maybe weren’t expecting was to watch the 6’3” combo guard spring his way to a 42-inch max vertical jump, matching the best mark posted by anyone this week. Sheppard’s draft stock didn’t necessarily need a big lift. B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman slotted Sheppard into the No. 3 spot of his latest mock draft.

“Still, for anyone questioning his lack of size or ability to separate against NBA-caliber defenders, this show of explosive athleticism could’ve quieted them all. If anything, it may have cemented Sheppard, a 52.1 percent three-point shooter during his lone season with the Wildcats, as a top-five selection.”

The Spurs have reportedly been interested in Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, but Sheppard is an intriguing prospect, too.

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Reed Sheppard had a hilarious reaction to his 42-inch draft combine vertical

Sheppard reminded everyone watching at the draft combine, including himself, that he can jump with the best of them.

Projected lottery pick Reed Sheppard emerged as one of the top performers in the strength and agility testing this week at the NBA draft combine in Chicago, Illinois.

Sheppard, who measured in at 6 feet, 1 3/4 inches without shoes, registered the 14th-fastest three-quarter sprint at 3.08 seconds. He finished eighth in the standing vertical jump (32 1/2 inches) and was tied for the highest max vertical jump (42 inches).

The 19-year-old occasionally flashed that athleticism throughout this past season at Kentucky, but he was mostly known as an elite shooter and defender. He reminded everyone watching, including himself, that he can jump with the best of them.

“I don’t know if I was really expecting it, but it was pretty cool seeing that,” Sheppard said. “They must have messed something up, there is no way I jumped that high. It was pretty cool seeing the 42 on the board after I did jump.”

Sheppard was named the SEC Freshman of the Year 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 against Mississippi State.

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.

He brings versatility with him to the next level as a combo guard. He doesn’t have a preferred position at this juncture of his career and is willing to fit in anywhere on the court.

I’m good with whatever. It doesn’t matter what I have to do as long as we’re winning and everyone is having fun. I said it going into Kentucky: I don’t care if I have to pass the ball, shoot the ball or get some water for the guys. Whatever it takes for the team to win, I’ll do.

Sheppard started the season considered a potential lottery pick. He has seen his stock rise and is gaining momentum to be selected in the top five after a strong campaign with the Wildcats. He is even in the conversation by some to be the No. 1 pick.

The sharpshooter isn’t concerned with his potential stock, with over a month to go until the draft on June 26-27. He is just trying to improve as much as possible on the court and showcase himself at a high level in workouts and interviews.

“I’m just going to focus on this next month and just try to become the best player that I can and continue to get better and continue to get in the gym and really through all of this just have fun and enjoy it,” Sheppard said. “At the end of the day, no matter what happens, right now, I’m at the NBA combine. Not a lot of people can say they do this or work out with teams and have interviews with these teams and organizations.”

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The latest NBA mock draft from CBS has Reed Sheppard going No. 2 overall to the Wizards

Is the Kentucky guard really going to go that high?

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft could be French star Alex Sarr depending on who’s picking there (we’ll find out Sunday when the NBA draft lottery reveals the franchise who gets it).

But who’s after him if that’s the case? And could it be Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard?

Our latest NBA mock draft from Bryan Kalbrosky has Sheppard going No. 8 overall to the Houston Rockets. But in a new NBA mock from CBS Sports has him going No. 2 to the Washington Wizards, an intriguing proposition given that Tyus Jones is a free agent.

Here’s what Gary Parrish had to say about the pick:

Sheppard was among the biggest surprises this season as it pertains to prospects launching themselves into the lottery conversation. Nobody had him projected as a one-and-done top-10 pick — but that’s what he’ll be after shooting 52.1% from 3-point range in his one season at Kentucky while earning CBS Sports National Freshman of the Year honors. Simply put, Sheppard is a plus-athlete who can guard his position, and an elite shooter who can also dribble and pass. The floor here is very, very high. So is the ceiling.

Make sure to check out the latest mock draft from our Bryan Kalbrosky, along with the full list of lottery odds!

Reed Sheppard: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2004 | 6’3 | 6’3 WS | 187 LBS Team: Kentucky Agent: CAA/Aaron Mintz Best aggregate mock draft rank: 3 / Worst rank: 8 In 33 games, Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 28.9 minutes, shooting 53.6 percent from the field, 52.1% percent from three, and 83.1 …

 2004 | 6’3 | 6’3 WS | 187 LBS

Team: Kentucky

Agent: CAA/Aaron Mintz

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 3 / Worst rank: 8

In 33 games, Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 28.9 minutes, shooting 53.6 percent from the field, 52.1% percent from three, and 83.1 percent from the free-throw line. He also recorded 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.7 blocks, 2.5 steals, 1.9 personal fouls, and 2.0 turnovers per game.

His parents, Jeff Sheppard, played at Kentucky and for the Atlanta Hawks in 1998-99 then a few seasons overseas. Won two NCAA titles and was named Mr. Georgia.

Sharpshooter Reed Sheppard announces decision to declare for NBA draft

Sheppard was the only player in the country to record at least 145 assists, 80 steals and 75 3-pointers.

Kentucky freshman Reed Sheppard announced Thursday on social media that he will forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2024 NBA draft.

Sheppard was named the SEC Freshman of the Year 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 against Mississippi State.

He was also named to the All-SEC second team.

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.

Sheppard is projected to be a lottery pick this year. He is considered perhaps the best shooter in the draft after converting at an absurd clip on 4.4 attempts per game. He connected on at least three 3-pointers 12 times and twice hit seven 3s in a game.

The 19-year-old has been more than a shooter, though, ranking 13th in the country in defensive box plus-minus (plus-5.0) and 12th in steal percentage (4.6). He has a knack for picking up full court at times and has shown tremendous instincts on that end of the floor.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

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Photo gallery of Reed Sheppard and his time with Kentucky basketball

A photo gallery of Kentucky basketball’s Reed Sheppard in his season at Kentucky

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.

Reed Sheppard leaves Kentucky basketball to declare for the NBA Draft

Kentucky basketball star Reed Sheppard declares for the NBA Draft.

In a move that shouldn’t surprise anyone, Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard announced he would enter the NBA Draft on Thursday. Big Blue Nation will be disappointed, but it was the right decision.

Being the son of a Kentucky legend made the younger Sheppard a popular player before he even played a game. He was a four-star prospect who was ranked in the top 100, and was the top player in the state of Kentucky.

Sheppard was expected to play behind the more highly rated guards that the Wildcats recruited, but he quickly became one of the brightest stars.

In his first eight games, Sheppard scored 20 points or more three times. He became known for his uncanny ability to create steals as well as his deadly three-point range. Even playing from off the bench, he was one of the most impactful players on the team.

On the year, Sheppard averaged 12.5 points per game. He added over four assists and four rebounds per game, and led the SEC with 2.5 steals per game.

A lot of fans thought Reed might stay one more year under new Wildcats coach Mark Pope. Pope played with Reed’s father Jeff at Kentucky. Most analysts, though, think Reed Sheppard is a top ten pick, and that was likely the biggest factor.

With Sheppard’s exit, every regular contributor from last year’s Kentucky team is gone. Mark Pope will set about rebuilding the roster, while Wildcats fans will certainly be rooting for Reed, wherever he winds up.

Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard are top five picks in CBS NBA mock draft

A new CBS NBA mock draft has two Kentucky players in the top five

Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard are going to be lottery picks in the NBA Draft. That is, if the analysts who do NBA mock drafts know what they’re talking about.

Nearly every mock draft that comes out has both Dillingham and Sheppard as top ten picks. A new CBS mock draft from Kyle Boone, however, took it a step further, and have both being selected inside the top five.

First up is Dillingham, the lightning quick guard who seemed to be able to take over games at will. Boone has him going second overall to the Washington Wizards and had this to say:

Despite coming off the bench the majority of the season for Kentucky, Dillingham flashed shades of Kyrie Irving with his twitchy ability and brilliant ball-handling skills. He can take over games when he’s hot and has the athletic pop to grow into a potent two-way player.

Just two picks later, Reed Sheppard goes to the Charlotte Hornets with the fourth overall selection. Another Kentucky guard, Sheppard was deadly from three-point range, and proved to be a terrific passer. This was Boone’s thought:

However good you think Sheppard is, just know you’re probably wrong and underrating him. He had an historically great freshman season at Kentucky as arguably the best shooter in college basketball, and he proved to be a legitimate playmaker on offense with the ball in his hands and on defense as a savvy, smart team defender. Has a game that projects perfectly to the NBA level.

Boone didn’t have any other Wildcats going in round one, despite forward Justin Edwards declaring for the NBA Draft this week. He didn’t address round two, where multiple Kentucky players could go.

Potential Sixers draft prospect Reed Sheppard’s tourney run ends quickly

Potential Philadelphia 76ers draft pick Reed Sheppard’s NCAA Tournament run ends quickly with Kentucky.

The Philadelphia 76ers currently have the 15th pick in the 2024 NBA draft per Tankathon and there are a lot of routes they could go with the pick. They could, of course, trade the pick in order to get a player that will win right away, but some players in the NCAA Tournament can help.

Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard had a helluva season as he shot 52.1% from deep in his freshman season in Lexington. He was looking to help the Wildcats have a deep run in the tourney, but their run ended abruptly with an 80-76 loss to 14 seed Oakland in the Round of 64.

Sheppard had a tough night as he scored just three points on 1-for-5 shooting. Oakland tailored its defense toward him to slow him down a bit and Jack Gohlke hit 10 triples.

Sheppard could be a potential prospect for the Sixers depending on what Daryl Morey and Co. want to do. Morey could always trade the pick, but if he does decide to make a selection, then Sheppard should be somebody on his radar as a potential target. He fits what the Sixers would like to add such as shooting and he is a solid defender.

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