Reed Sheppard helping Kentucky close on DJ Wagner

Kentucky is on the verge of signing a superclass in 2023, just one piece away from a five-player group that includes four top-10 recruits and five in the top 30.

You all know the name by now, it’s no secret. Five-star guard DJ Wagner is the ultimate prize, one John Calipari and his coaching staff have been working to close for months.

They’re not alone, though. In fact, Kentucky’s other recruits are doing their part, with three pledges joining Wagner on the top target’s recent visit to Lexington for Big Blue Madness. Justin Edwards and Reed Sheppard were committed going into the event, then Aaron Bradshaw joined the fun by committing just 30 minutes before festivities began.

Let’s start with that last part in the recent addition of Bradshaw, Wagner’s high school and grassroots teammate. It was the perfect lead-up to Big Blue Madness, an evening and weekend overall Sheppard says was a massive success.

“(My visit) was awesome. We had a good time, Big Blue Madness was fun,” Sheppard told KSR at his youth basketball camp in Pikeville on Saturday. “Everything, hanging out with the team, hanging out with the coaches, it was all awesome.

“(Bradshaw’s commitment) was awesome. He hadn’t walked in the room we were in yet — all of the recruits were in a room at one point — and we all saw he committed. We were all pretty excited. As soon as he walked in, we all ran over and gave him a big hug, he was smiling. It was an awesome experience.”

Bradshaw is ranked No. 7 overall and No. 2 among centers in the 2023 On3 Consensus. Known for his defense and finishing ability inside, along with a growing jump shot, it’s an addition Sheppard is clearly excited for.

“He’s awesome. I’ve never played against him, but just watching him, I think he affects the game so much,” Sheppard told KSR. “He’s 7-foot and can shoot and move, and he’s not super skinny so he can take a beating down there. Just his ability to shoot, he can change the game in so many ways.”

And then there was one in Wagner himself. It’s a player Sheppard has wanted to play with from the beginning, someone he’s been working to recruit since he joined the program himself.

“He was excited (for Bradshaw’s commitment),” Sheppard said. “What I like to say, like I always say, look at what Coach Cal can do for you. For him, it’s kind of a family thing. Most of his family is already at Kentucky and his dad played for Coach Cal, so I think it’s just up to him now on what he’s going to do. I hope we get him.”

Going from recruited to recruiter, it’s a role Sheppard has embraced since becoming a Wildcat. And the Kentucky coaching staff has appreciated the in-state standout’s efforts.

The same age with similar dreams, he can connect with other recruits in ways no coach can — Hall of Famer or not.

“I’m very comfortable (in a recruiting role),” he said. “That’s one of the things the coaches talked to me about, ‘You can be as big of a recruiter as we are. These players like talking to you more than they like talking to us, they don’t want to be on 30-minute phone calls with us. Just keep doing what you’re doing. It means a lot to them, you just don’t know it.’

“I’m excited and thankful to have the opportunity to be able to reach out to them and try to get them to come be my teammate at Kentucky.”

It’s not limited to basketball, either. At the end of the day, it’s about building relationships.

“Just how we communicate. We’re the same age, going through the same stuff,” he added. “They’re looking for the same stuff at the schools. So just being able to talk to them, it doesn’t even have to be about the schools, just building a relationship outside of basketball, stuff like that, that’s special.

Will his efforts be enough to close on Wagner? That’s the goal.

“I don’t know, I hope!” Sheppard told KSR. “I think we’ve got a good shot at him, but I’m not 100% sure. But I hope we get him.”