John Calipari: Reed Sheppard expected to be at Kentucky for four years

Kentucky boasted the No. 1 recruiting class in the 2023 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking. Among the loaded group, names like Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner dominated the headlines while Reed Sheppard slipped under the radar.

Nonetheless, Sheppard finished the season as perhaps Kentucky’s most significant freshman contributor. The Kentucky native averaged more playing time than any other first-year Wildcat while leading the team in assists and steals.

In an interview with CBS Sports, former Kentucky head coach John Calipari pulled back the curtain on Sheppard’s stunning season.

“I enjoyed coaching last year. I had a ball, but that was hard,” Calipari said. “Then Reed Sheppard decides to become [SEC] Freshman of the Year. I asked him after the season, ‘How much did you expect to play?’ He said, ‘Ah, I thought I’d be carrying water.’ Did you expect to leave here after the season? He said, ‘Coach, I expected to be here all four years.'”

Sheppard never carried water, but he certainly carried Kentucky at times. In his lone season with the ‘Cats, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 53.6% from the floor and 51.1% from beyond the arc, the most accurate single-season 3-point percentage in program history.

Sheppard had numerous standout performances during the season. However, none topped his explosive showing in Kentucky’s 91-89 win over Mississippi State when he erupted for a career-high 32 points and drained a gutsy game-winning floater.

For his jaw-dropping campaign, Sheppard was named the SEC Freshman of the Year, an All-SEC Second Team member and the National Association of Basketball Coaches National Freshman of the Year.

In ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft, Jonathan Givony projected Sheppard to be the No. 7 overall pick. The only Kentucky player Givony expects to be selected earlier in the draft is Dillingham at the No. 4 spot.

“Sheppard entered the draft after receiving feedback indicating he has a very strong case to be a top-five pick, possibly even a top-three pick — an opportunity that is hard to pass on,” Givony wrote.

“Sheppard’s shooting prowess, passing creativity, defensive instincts, productivity and never-ending confidence wowed NBA teams all season. He has some fans at the top of this draft, but the results of the lottery will help determine where he ultimately lands.”

Sheppard won’t have to wait much longer to discover his next home. In only a month and a half, Sheppard will fulfill a childhood dream and hear his name called in the 2024 NBA Draft.