Reed Sheppard now a top 5 pick in The Ringer's updated NBA Mock Draft

The 2024 NBA Draft is still six months away, but now that we’re fully in the middle of college basketball season, updated mock drafts continue to pop up on a daily basis. We already saw Zvonimir Ivisic go from outside of the first round to a projected lottery pick by at least one publication following his impressive debut last weekend.

On Wednesday, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor unveiled his updated Mock Draft. O’Connor included three Kentucky freshmen in his first-round projections, but you might be surprised by where (and who) in the order he has them landing.

Take a look:

• No. 4 | Reed Sheppard (Charlotte Hornets)
• No. 8 | Rob Dillingham (Houston Rockets)
• No. 22 | Justin Edwards (New York Knicks)

O’Connor noted on social media that he would have included Ivisic in this update, but the big man’s debut came after O’Connor’s deadline and he’ll make it in the next one.

🚨 My annual NBA Draft Guide just dropped with a full first-round mock draft and my top 30 big board with scouting reports for every player

More to come on @ringer in the months ahead leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft: https://t.co/3T6tolafpJ

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 24, 2024

Dillingham at No. 8 is consistent with what we’ve already seen from most mock drafts throughout the season. He has a clear upside at the professional level as a shot-maker that typically translates quite well. Getting drafted in the lottery almost feels expected at this point.

But Sheppard at No. 4 is the highest we’ve seen yet from any major mock draft. O’Connor might be one of the few draft experts out there still believing in Edwards’ potential, too.

Below are the season-long stats for all three players.

• Sheppard: 11.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.4 SPG, 25.9 MPG (1.5 TOV) | 55.6/54.8/82.9
• Dillingham: 13.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 22.6 MPG (1.9 TOV) | 46.2/38.2/77.4
• Edwards: 8.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 22.6 MPG (0.9 TOV) | 45/28.9/70.8

O’Connor didn’t include guys such as DJ Wagner or Aaron Bradshaw either — two more high-upside Wildcat freshmen. He did say on social media that Wagner could crack the first round if his shooting efficiency continues to steadily rise.