Reed Sheppard reacts to topping dad Jeff's career-high at Kentucky

It’s a feel-good morning in the Bluegrass as we revel in Kentucky’s big win over Mississippi State, made possible by Reed Sheppard. Sheppard scored 32 points vs. the Bulldogs, 23 in the second half, and 11 in the final 96 seconds. The two at the very end to give the Cats the 91-89 victory will go down in Kentucky history, a very cool moment for a kid who cut his teeth on all things blue and white.

By now, you know all about Reed’s background, the son of Kentucky Basketball greats Jeff and Stacey Sheppard. Few players have come to Lexington with more expectations on their shoulders than him, but last night, he further solidified his own space in program history. Reed’s 32 points are more than his mother’s Stacey’s career high of 26, set against Louisville, and his dad Jeff’s 27, set vs. Stanford in the Final Four.

Obviously, the stakes of that game were much higher than a regular season game like last night’s, but numbers don’t lie. After the game, Marty Smith asked Reed how it felt to top his dad’s career-high of 27, a fact he wasn’t aware of until that very moment.

“You know what your old man’s career high at Kentucky is?” Smith asked.

“I have no idea,” Reed replied.

“27.”

“I just beat him, huh?” Reed said, laughing.

“Call him up on the way to the locker room and tell him what’s up.”

“I will.”

Reed didn’t have to call him up. His dad was waiting for him when he came out of the locker room and wrapped him into an embrace as captured by Jeremy Hatfield, a UK fan from Dixie, Mississippi, who took his own sons to their first Kentucky game last night in Starkville.

Reed and Jeff Sheppard embrace after Reed’s game-winner vs. Mississippi State. 💙 #BBN

📸: Jeremy Hatfield pic.twitter.com/D6Wcdxttzl

— KSR (@KSRonX) February 28, 2024

“People have asked me often what it feels like to win a national championship,” Jeff told KSR in November. “And I say it’s almost as good as seeing your kid score their first soccer goal or make their first layup or hit a shot at Rupp Arena. It’s almost that good. It’s not that good but it’s almost as good.”

That’s what it’s about on so many levels.