It solely took Reed Sheppard one 12 months with the Wildcats to understand he has the potential to play within the large leagues. The freshman informed the press this Thursday that he’s “going all-in” for the 2024 NBA Draft and forgo his remaining faculty eligibility.
“I’m going all-in,” the 19-year-old stated. “The chance I’ve is nice. I’ve gotten actually good suggestions exhibiting the place I might be within the draft. I had an unbelievable 12 months at Kentucky. It was such a enjoyable 12 months. It’s not simple leaving the followers and the varsity I dreamed of enjoying at. I have to do what’s finest for me, and that’s heading to the NBA.”
The Kentucky star will not be solely thought of to be the No. 7 prospect in ESPN’s draft projections, however he additionally was just lately named the SEC freshman of the 12 months and made the second-team all-conference this marketing campaign.
“ONE MORE YEAR!”
Followers need Reed Sheppard again for his sophomore 12 months. pic.twitter.com/glYicKYBRR
— KSR (@KSRonX) April 11, 2024
Sheppard posted averages of two.5 factors, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and a pair of.5 steals per sport and capturing 52.1% from past the arc this season, turning into the primary potential first-round decide to shoot over 50% from threes since Glen Rice did in 1989.
“My teammates and coaches put confidence in me, telling me it’s worthwhile to shoot,” he stated. “I used to be lucky to have the ability to get within the fitness center and work with [Kentucky assistant] coach John Welch every single day. He’s the most effective trainers you’ll discover.”
Popping out of highschool Reed grew to become a McDonald’s All American and a top-25 recruit, however nobody noticed coming that he’d change into a lottery decide after a single season in faculty basketball.
“I didn’t know what to anticipate coming in,” the rising star assured. “I wasn’t moving into with the expectations of what in the end occurred. I knew I used to be going to do no matter I may to assist Kentucky win. If I wanted to get the staff water, I’d get the staff water. I used to be excited to be at my dream college. It’s unbelievable the way in which it ended up. It’s been a extremely enjoyable journey up to now.”
Sheppard regrets the truth that the Wildcats misplaced so early within the NCAA Event after historic upset in opposition to Oakland
Through the SEC, Kentucky tied for the second-best file at 13-5 and earned the third-best seed within the NCAA Event. Despite the fact that many thought they might ultimately make the finals, the Wildcats suffered a historic upset within the first spherical in opposition to No. 14 seed Oakland.
Reed nonetheless regrets their efficiency. “The objective at Kentucky is to play for a nationwide championship,” the 19-year-old stated. “I believed we had shot at it. Our staff was particular, and shedding the way in which we did was laborious. All of the relationships we constructed and the way shut we had been made this determination rather a lot tougher.”
This defeat arrange a sequence of occasions that led to teach John Calipari leaving his function in Kentucky and head for Arkansas. He was ultimately changed by BYU’s Mark Pope, who even received a nationwide title as a participant with the Wildcats alongside Sheppard’s father.
“Our households are very shut. We’ve stayed in contact and at all times watched his groups at BYU,” the participant stated, as he expects Pope to do an excellent job. “I understand how sensible he’s as a coach and the way offensive-minded his groups are. They run actually good things, shoot loads of 3s and are enjoyable to look at. I feel Kentucky will nonetheless be Kentucky when it’s throughout.”
