Basketball news today-Kentucky native Reed Shepard is about to take the next step in his improbable basketball journey.
At the start of the 2023-24 college season, Shepard was a notable addition to UK’s roster, but the expectation was that the in-state star would be a long-term member of the Wildcats’ team, perhaps a traditional four-player of the year for his home-state program.
Instead, Shepard became a national sensation almost immediately, popping up on NBA draft boards just weeks into his freshman year and finishing the season as a consensus lottery pick. Going into the first night of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday (June 26), many prominent mock drafts projected Shepard as a top-five overall pick. Here’s what draft analysts from around the country are saying about the UK star.
ESPN’s Jonathan Zivny
Longtime NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givney has Shepard No. 4 overall on his board of the best players available in the 2024 pool and projected the former UK star as the Houston Rockets’ No. 3 pick in his most recent ESPN mock draft.
“Should Houston settle for No. 3, continuing to add shooting will likely be a priority after finishing near the bottom of the league last season. With that in mind, adding a sharpshooter like Shepard, who converted more than half of his 3-point attempts and proved capable of playing on or off the ball, could be attractive. Basketball news today-Shepard’s unselfishness, feel for the game and sharp defensive instincts could make him a strong fit alongside the Rockets’ core.
” Givney also has a recent post exploring the best NBA draft fits for the San Antonio Spurs, who have the Nos. 4 and 8 picks and are looking to add more complementary pieces around the league’s next megastar, Victor Wembanyama. With the No. 4 pick, Zivny lists Shepard as the top option, if Shepard is still available.
“Shepard’s team-first mentality — for example, happily coming off the bench all season at Kentucky even though he should have been starting — makes him a perfect fit to play in Wembanyama’s shadow and all that comes with it.”
Interestingly, Givney listed Sheppard’s former UK teammate, Rob Dillingham — another star freshman who John Calipari chose to come off the bench last season — as the next best fit to pair with Wembaniama.
ESPN’s Jeremy Wu
Jeremy Wu, another veteran NBA draft analyst who now works for ESPN, was tasked with selecting the players in the 2024 draft pool who possess the best individual skills. Shepard was Wu’s pick as the best spot-up shooter in the draft.
“(He) looks comfortable from all over the arc, and has a great baseline to continue to improve, if he can get separation at a high level, there is room to make his shot more off the bounce. His ability to space the floor away from the ball eases his way into a role quite a bit, with his ceiling tied to how much he can stretch his game as a handler. But there is a very legitimate shooting profile here that can make him an off-ball threat if required.”
Athletics Sam Veseni
A vocal advocate for Shepard throughout the 2024 predraft process, The Athletic’s Sam Veseni also had the Kentuckian No. 3 pick to the Rockets in his most recent mock draft.
Basketball news today-“His stock is polarizing among teams, with more analytically inclined organizations viewing him as a No. 1 pick contender and others viewing him as a late lottery pick due to his lack of size. The Rockets could take a swing at him because he’s a perfect connecting piece next to all of their young talent. He is an elite shooter, which is a skill lacking in this young core. … Sheppard also thinks the game at an elite level and moves the ball quickly to get everyone involved.”
Gary Parrish of CBS Sports
Veteran college basketball analyst Gary Parrish updated his CBS Sports mock draft on Monday and moved Shepard even higher — No. 2 overall to the Washington Wizards.
Basketball news today-“Shepard is my favorite prospect in this draft thanks to a diverse skill. Basketball news today-His lack of size is an obvious concern — but the cool thing is so cool that, if I were running a Washington franchise that basically needs everything, it would be hard for me to rule CBS Sports National Freshman of the Year. Basketball news today-Shot over 52% from the 3-point line in his one season at Kentucky.
Kristen Peake of Yahoo Sports
Kristen Peake, who has considerable experience covering the NBA draft for Yahoo Sports as well as the recruiting trail, projected Shepard a bit lower in her latest mock draft for the website. He’s No. 6 overall — to the Charlotte Hornets — on that list, probably as far as he’ll read Wednesday night.
Basketball news today-“Shepard’s role in the NBA will likely be more as a combo guard, and he can obviously space the floor well with his shot, shooting over from deep in his one year at Kentucky. Basketball news today-He’s likely No. 4 on the board for the Spurs. , but probably won’t get past the Hornets.”
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Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer
One of the first NBA draft analysts to mention Shepard’s potential to go No. 1 overall in this draft, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor has the former Wildcat No. 3 in Houston in his latest mock draft. (And No. 4 overall on his updated list of best prospects, regardless of fit.) O’Connor noted Shepard’s defensive impact — and “incredible instincts” — for his size, calling him “mentally strong” and pointing to his obvious superiority as a As a 3-point shooter.
Basketball news today-“Elite connective playmaker who dishes excellent outlets and moves on the break and makes quick decisions in the half court. Can he be the lead point guard? His ball-handling still needs to be mastered, but he has the requisite baseline handling skills with quick left-to-right crossovers and unhesitating bag moves. Basketball news today-Both poise and passing vision are in the pick-and-roll as well.”
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report is another NBA draft analyst who pegs Shepard as the Rockets’ No. 3 overall pick, though he notes — like other draft experts — that Houston will be a team rich in young talent willing to trade out spots.
Basketball news today-“If the Rockets stick around, they should like what Reed Shepard brings to their rotation: Basketball news today-elite shooting, passing and the elusiveness/character that scouts and executives praised after his interviews at the NBA Combine. For Shepard, an undersized 2 who is more limited off the dribble, Amen Thompson would be the ideal backcourt partner with his creation/playmaking and ability to defend big guards. And Shepard feels like a good fit for Thompson’s ability to stretch the floor and create space for limited shooters and shifty ball-handlers.”