Jeff Sheppard: 'Mark Pope has known Reed Sheppard since Reed was a little bitty fella'

With Kentucky hiring Mark Pope as it’s next head coach, the fanbase immediately connected the dots between him, Jeff Sheppard, and his former teammate’s son, Reed Sheppard, who was a star for the Wildcats this past season. It’s a relationship that goes back to the 90s and extends for the duration of Reed’s life, which may or may not have an impact on the in-state sensation’s decision on his future.

Jeff Sheppard spoke with Keith Farmer of BBN Tonight for an interview that will fully air on Friday. In it, he will talk about the hire Pope, his college teammate and roommate. He will also be discussing the next steps for his son. However, in a clip that the show released this afternoon, Sheppard did quickly address the topic of where Reed’s decision-making process currently is for either a return to college or the NBA Draft

“You know, Reed is working through some things,” Sheppard said. “We’re working right along with him to try to help him figure out and gather the best information that he can gather.”

Still, Jeff is as aware as anyone of the well-known relation between the Sheppards and Popes. As he recalled it, Pope has known Reed Sheppard since he was a baby. He has even taken credit for being his first recruiting visit.

“Mark Pope has known Reed Sheppard since Reed was a little bitty fella,” said a smiling Sheppard. “When Mark was an assistant coach at Georgia, long time ago when Reed was six, seven years old? Pope boasts that he was the first coach to do an in-house visit for Reed at seven years old and holds that on his resumé.”

“We’ve stayed in touch over the years,” Sheppard said.

Reed Sheppard is coming off a fantastic freshman season at his home-state school in Lexington. He averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 steals while shooting an unbelievable 53.6% from the field and 52.1% from three. That earned him honors as National Freshman of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year among other recognitions.

The question now is stay or go for Sheppard. It was already a looming question when John Calipari was still head coach. It may loom even more now with a new hire, especially one that has close ties to the Sheppard family. Or, in what might be for his best interest, he could leave for the 2024 NBA Draft. He’d become a professional as a likely Top-10, if not top-five, selection from this class in June.

Pope has already reached out to the Sheppards since becoming head coach. That conversation was likely one of excitement but also may have included some groundwork in getting a return from Reed.

For now, though, Jeff Sheppard is just excited for what’s in story for his old friend and their program with him getting the gig in the commonwealth.

“Great friend and great man, great family man,” Sheppard said. “I think Kentucky is going to re-fall in love with Mark Pope.”