KSR Today: Reed Sheppard makes his NBA debut

I need you to mentally prepare yourself, Big Blue Nation. Today is a bittersweet day for all of us here in the Commonwealth — most folks outside of Louisville (and a solid chunk inside the city), at least. An all-time Kentucky fan-favorite has officially traded out his blue jersey for red, Kareem Watkins transferring to the Arkansas Razor… (kidding).

Well, not kidding. He technically did that too, but that’s not why we’re here. The man of the hour is Reed Sheppard, who will make his NBA debut with the Houston Rockets on Friday.

It’s the start of the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas, set to run from July 12-22. All 30 teams will participate, meaning Sheppard will show off his new red threads on the big stage. He is one of 11 former Wildcats scheduled to participate, Rob Dillingham and Antonio Reeves in Kentucky’s current draft class while Justin Edwards and Tre Mitchell already made their debuts in the California Classic and Salt Lake City Summer Leagues over the last week.

Check out Friday’s schedule, one that includes five former Wildcats throughout the afternoon and evening:

• Keion Brooks (Pelicans) vs. Timberwolves – 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2
• Rob Dillingham (Timberwolves) vs. Pelicans – 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2
• Antonio Reeves (Pelicans) vs. Timberwolves – 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2
• Reed Sheppard (Rockets) vs. Lakers – 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Oscar Tshiebwe (Pacers) vs. Nets – 8 p.m. ET on NBA TV

It will be more of the same on Saturday, only with six friendly faces taking the floor in Vegas:

• Justin Edwards (76ers) vs. Pistons – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2
• Kevin Knox (Warriors) vs. Suns – 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2
• Chris Livingston (Bucks) vs. Bulls – 4:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV
• Tre Mitchell (Thunder) vs. Raptors – 8:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV
• Jacob Toppin (Knicks) vs. Hornets – 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2
• TyTy Washington (Bucks)vs. Bulls – 4:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV

Going to be weird.

Kentucky releases non-conference schedule

Hey, how about some legitimate, tangible basketball news in early July? The non-conference schedule was released last year on August 24, well after the team’s return from Toronto for GLOBL Jam and the addition of Zvonimir Ivisic — less than two months before Big Blue Madness.

Times are changing under Mark Pope, though, as Kentucky released its complete 13-game non-conference slate on Thursday, a nice mix of tough battles and what should be cupcakes.

The Wildcats will open the season on November 4 against Wright State, followed by a matchup against the fighting Nate Sestinas of Bucknell on Nov. 9. From there, Kentucky takes on Duke in the Champions Classic on Nov. 12, followed by the BBN Invitational from Nov. 19-26 in Lexington — Western Kentucky being the headliner there. And then you get four name-brand battles in December against Clemson, Gonzaga, Louisville and Ohio State before SEC play begins in January.

• Nov. 4: Wright State
• Nov. 9: Bucknell
• Nov. 12: Duke (Champions Classic, Atlanta)
• Nov. 19: Lipscomb (BBN Invitational)
• Nov. 22: Jackson State (BBN Invitational, Unity Series)
• Nov. 26: Western Kentucky (BBN Invitational)
• Nov. 29: Georgia State
• Dec. 3: at Clemson (SEC/ACC Challenge)
• Dec. 7: Gonzaga (Battle for Seattle)
• Dec. 11: Colgate
• Dec. 14: Louisville
• Dec. 21: Ohio State (CBS Sports Classic, New York)
• Dec. 31: Brown

Carr, Oweh and Almonor talk to the media

Speaking of basketball updates, how about several from a few Wildcats themselves? Andrew Carr, Otega Oweh and Ansley Almonor sat down with the media on Thursday to discuss early practices, learning under Coach Pope, team chemistry and playing football at Kroger Field earlier in the week.

Take a look:

The KSR crew gathered shortly after the media opportunity wrapped up to share their quick takeaways — including which positions the Wildcats would play in football if they chose the gridiron instead of the hardwood.

Lamb, Teague and Travis drop out of TBT

Shifting over to some unfortunate news out of Lexington, a few key drop-outs for Kentucky’s alumni squad in The Basketball Tournament.

La Familia announced Doron Lamb, Marquis Teague and Reid Travis will not be able to suit up in blue and white for TBT next week and beyond due to “unforeseen professional obligations.”

“The rest of our roster is excited and ready to go,” La Familia wrote on social media. “We wish these guys the best!”

In their place? Two new additions in Brennan Canada and Kerem Kanter, brother of Enes.

Here is the final roster ahead of next week’s games at Rupp Arena:

• Aaron Harrison (2013-15)
• Andrew Harrison (2013-15)
• Eric Bledsoe (2009-10)
• Willie Cauley-Stein (2012-15)
• James Young (2013-14)
• Kellan Grady (2021-22)
• Nate Sestina (2019-20)
• Daniel Orton (2009-10)
• Brennan Canada (2019-24)
• Kerem Kanter

Tough break for La Familia, but still a squad capable of competing.

Nate Oats explains why he didn’t pursue the Kentucky job

Remember that weird period where Nate Oats definitely wanted the Kentucky job, then quickly announced he definitely wouldn’t pursue it, officially withdrawing his name from consideration? He finally explained what happened in a conversation with Seth Davis for Bleacher Report.

There, he said he didn’t officially turn it down because he was never actually offered the job, but felt it was best for him and his family to stay put. He rose to superstardom as a coach in Tuscaloosa and hopes to finish the job there with a national title.

“We built this thing up to where we’ve got a chance to win it. I’d like to give myself a chance to win it here,” he said. “I like working with the people I have here. I was comfortable here. My family’s comfortable here. I decided I want to stay here.

“The job was never offered in the first place. I don’t want people thinking I turned it down. That wasn’t the case. I took my name out of consideration before it would have ever gotten to that point.”

Oh, and a quick jab at Kentucky under John Calipari during their respective tenures together in the SEC.

“There’s other highly acclaimed blue blood programs in this conference that haven’t won anywhere close to eight NCAA Tournament games since we’ve arrived,” he said.