Reed Sheppard shares recruiting pitch to Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno: "It's Kentucky"

You won’t find a better success story than Reed Sheppard at Kentucky. It’s kind of like when LeBron James came out of high school with superstar expectations in the league and somehow managed to exceed them tenfold en route to becoming arguably the most dominant player to ever touch a basketball. Sheppard was that player for the 606, locals speaking the Laurel County native’s greatness into existence since grade school, certain that little boy from Kentucky would make it in blue and white and lead the Wildcats back to glory — even if it took four years.

He took those expectations and turned them into one of the most unimaginable one-and-done runs in program history. Sheppard caught lightning in a bottle, starting as a McDonald’s All-American and finishing as the National Freshman of the Year and No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Through all of the pressure as a double legacy signee with the weight of the state on his shoulders, he not only stayed afloat, but swam laps around the competition.

If you’re looking for the blueprint on how to handle life as an in-state recruit playing for Kentucky, Reed Sheppard has it locked down. He’s the best-case scenario moving forward, the standard of all standards. Not a bad position for guys like Travis Perry and Trent Noah to be in as they begin their careers as Wildcats, just a few months removed from their head-to-head battle in the state title game at Rupp Arena.

“They know the pressure that comes with it and they know how much it means to be a Kentucky kid and wear that jersey,” Sheppard told KSR. “They’re prepared and they’re going to have a great season. I would tell them just to have fun and enjoy it all. Not a lot of people get to put on that Kentucky jersey, especially being from Kentucky and going to Kentucky games growing up. I’m excited to see them play this year. I think they’re both going to do really well.”

So what about players in Sheppard’s shoes trying to decide whether to stay home and play for Kentucky or explore offers and interest elsewhere? A few local blue-chip prospects are in that exact position now in Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno — two top-25 national recruits growing up just miles away from campus, the former in Lexington and the latter in Georgetown.

If you ask Sheppard, the choice is simple. It was easy for him, just as it should be easy for them or any other in-state standout with a scholarship offer to be a Wildcat.

“I mean at the end of the day, it’s Kentucky. For me, it was an easy choice. It was my dream school growing up and for them, I hope it’s the same so they have an easy choice to make, as well,” Sheppard told KSR. “At the end of the day, it’s Kentucky. You’re playing on national television every game, you’re gonna be playing against the best players in the world, great facilities.

“It’s just — it’s a great place to play basketball and a great place to live.”

Reed Sheppard took that pressure and became a top-three pick, an honor that comes with a hefty four-year, $45.8 million contract. He’s an early contender for Rookie of the Year exactly one year removed from starting his fall semester as a freshman in Lexington.

That guy is telling those guys to follow in his footsteps.