Three Kentucky Wildcats are picked in a new ESPN NBA mock draft

Three former Kentucky basketball players are picked in a new NBA mock draft from ESPN.

The 2024 NBA draft continues to drift closer with draft lottery complete and the NBA draft combine up next. That means that a new round of NBA mock drafts are now up from analysts.

Jonathan Givony of ESPN has a new mock draft up (subscription required), and he has three players from Kentucky basketball being drafted. All three of them are predicted to go in round one, but a few players hoping to get picked in round two are left off the list.

Round one, Pick 3: Reed Sheppard – G

The Houston Rockets hold the third pick, and Givony has them taking guard Reed Sheppard. He’s an elite shooter and a terrific passer who plays the game with a rare set of instincts. There will be some growing pains on defense, but he brings an impressive set of skills to the NBA.

Round one, Pick 4: Rob Dillingham – G

The San Antonio Spurs got a generational talent with the first pick last year and get an exciting player to pair with him in this mock draft. Dillingham became a spark plug off the bench who could take over games with difficult shots around the rim or from three-point range

Round one, Pick 26: Justin Edwards – F

Forward Justin Edwards is as talented as any player in the draft, but he wasn’t able to put it all together at Kentucky. The Washington Wizards select him here, and would attempt to capitalize on the potential he has. He can shoot, drive, and defend, so his upside is impressive.