Reed Sheppard named National Freshman of the Year by USBWA

Get ready to hear this a few more times in the near future: Reed Sheppard has been named National Freshman of the Year.

On Monday afternoon, the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) tabbed Sheppard as its winner for the best first-year player in all of college basketball during the 2023-24 season. The 6-foot-3 guard becomes the third Kentucky Wildcat to win this award since it began back in 1989, joining Anthony Davis (2011-12) and John Wall (2009-10). He’s the fourth to do so under head coach John Calipari — Tyreke Evans was recognized with the honor at Memphis in 2008-09.

Sheppard is also the third consecutive player from the SEC to take home the honor after Jabari Smith (Auburn; 2021-22) and Brandon Miller (Alabama; 2022-23) did it before him.

🏆 @reed_sheppard is the @USBWA Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year!

📰🔗 https://t.co/CehHhbVLgD pic.twitter.com/GJzMAUeIW8

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 18, 2024

During his freshman campaign at Kentucky, Sheppard, who was also named SEC Freshman of the Year last week, averaged 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals in 29 minutes per game. The native of London, KY shot a blistering 54.3 percent from the field, 52.5 percent from deep, and 83.1 percent from the free throw line. His 80 total steals this season rank second in program history behind only Rajon Rondo (87).

Sheppard is expected to receive his award during the USBWA College Basketball Awards Banquet in St. Louis on April 17

Below are all of Sheppard’s honors so far this season. More are sure to come.

• USBWA Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Year
• SEC Freshman of the Year (coaches)
• All-SEC Second Team (coaches)
• All-SEC Second Team (AP)
• All-SEC Freshman Team (coaches)
• Dick Vitale’s “Diaper Dandy” of the Year
• Field of 68 Third-Team All-America
• College Hoops Today (Rothstein) National Sixth Man of the Year
• ESPN National Freshman of the Year (Borzello)
• SEC Freshman of the Week (March 11)
• SEC Freshman of the Week (March 4)
• SEC Freshman of the Week (Dec. 26)
• SEC Freshman of the Week (Dec. 4)