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Reed Sheppard: 'I'm going to do whatever it takes to win'

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•07/14/23•

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Kentucky G Reed Sheppard
Chet White | UK Athletics

Reed Sheppard was always going to find a way to be a fan favorite at Kentucky. As a son of the state and a legacy recruit, he had a head start in being considered as such.

However, his play over two games at the GLOBL Jam and his words toward a commitment to winning has only added to the Big Blue Nation’s interest in him.

Sheppard spoke to the media after an impressive outing in Kentucky’s win over Canada last night. He said that he’s willing to be as much of a bought-in, all-around player that it takes for his team to come out with victories.

“(I’m) just doing whatever I can to win and impact the team the best way possible,” Sheppard said. “If that’s getting steals or getting a rebound or, you know, making shots? I’m gonna do whatever it takes to win. And I’m happy to do that as long as we come out with the win.”

Over two games in Toronto, Sheppard has opened his UK career by averaging seven points, five assists, 2.5 rebounds, three steals, and a block per game. He did so in just over 21 minutes a contest. Due to a poor shooting night against Germany, though, his overall percentages aren’t high. With two games past, they sit at 31% from the field, 25% from three, and 66% from the charity stripe

However, it was what Sheppard did in the Wildcat’s 93-69 win over Canada on Thursday that truly caught the attention of the bluegrass. In 25 minutes as a starter, he posted 14 points, on 62% from the field and 50% from three, to go with four assists, four steals, two rebounds, and two blocks.

It wasn’t pedestrian either. He himself turned a steal and a block into a pair of highlight dunks that reminded many of his father.

Again, Sheppard’s approval rating in Lexington was always going to be high. Something would have to go horribly wrong for it not to be. Even so, his play so far, as well as his words, have many who represent the blue and white very happy to have him as part of their program for the foreseeable future.

Kentucky arrives, practices in Drake’s $100 million mansion

When John Calipari said a couple of weeks ago that Drake would leave him the keys to his mansion in Toronto when he brought the Kentucky team on their Canadien tour? He evidently apparently was not lying. The Wildcats completed the first two games of the GLOBL JAM event on Wednesday and Thursday. With Friday off, it gave them the opportunity to check out Drake’s place.

The ‘Cats visited the mansion Friday morning. KSR’s Daniel Hager eventually came across videos of the team enjoying the luxuries of Drake’s abode.

After eventually heading into the home, Kentucky got an even cooler opportunity: a practice on Drake’s own custom-built basketball court. Who cares if it’s regulation size or not? It’s quite cool the ‘Cats are getting to play ball inside the house of one of the world’s most famous artists.