Three Kentucky players were selected in the most recent NBA Draft, upholding the tradition of the Wildcats being the college program that puts the most players in the association. And this year Reed Sheppard was the first Wildcat off of the board after being selected with the No. 4 overall pick by the Houston Rockets.
Like many Kentucky players in recent history, Sheppard makes his jump to the NBA following just one season in Lexington. And in his introductory press conference, he explains why he was ready to make the transition.
“I think a lot of that is from Kentucky,” Sheppard said. “You go there and you get to play for a coach that has put many, many guys in the NBA. You get to go against players that are NBA talent and every day in practice that’s who you go against. So you get better.”
“Everything at Kentucky it gets you prepared for the next level.”
Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game in his lone season with the Wildcats. Regarded by many as the deadliest shooter in the 2024 Draft class after hitting 53.6% of his shots from the field and 52.1% from three-point range. An area of the London, Kentucky native’s game that he was able to improve upon in his freshman season.
“I think it’s huge. Like you said, being from Kentucky, it was always a dream of mine to play at the University of Kentucky. And being able to do that for Coach Cal, who I think is one of the best coaches in the world, and being able to do that with such great teammates,” Sheppard said. “At Kentucky you get better every day, you get to go against the best players in the world at practice, you have a target on your back every game. So I definitely think it has helped me for being a rookie.”
The decision to declare for the NBA Draft or stay at Kentucky was not an easy one according to Sheppard. But between his preparedness for the next level and making his dreams come true, it was a no-brainer for the now top-five pick.
“After the season I talked with my parents and we looked at some stuff. We were talking to some people and we just thought it was the best decision for me, and it was hard,” Sheppard admitted. “It was hard being from Kentucky, but at the end of the day playing in the NBA was also a dream of mine just like playing at Kentucky was. So I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
Sheppard joins a young Rockets team with a promising young corps. And it will be fascinating to see how he meshes with the team and how his time spent at Kentucky could have him potentially ready to make an immediate impact in his rookie season.
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