Why Reed Sheppard Should Enter the NBA Draft Rather Than Return Back to Kentucky

Mark Pope, the new head coach of the UK Wildcats and former BYU head coach, is focused on one objective: persuading freshman sensation Reed Sheppard to return to Lexington for his sophomore year.

“I’m dedicating a lot of time to prayer, hoping that God will guide him back to Kentucky,” Pope said.

However, the primary obstacle to achieving this goal is Sheppard’s potential in the NBA draft. While he may not possess exceptional physical attributes or athleticism, Sheppard is an outstanding basketball player with a diverse skill set that compensates for his lack of size.

Despite being around 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-3, Sheppard has displayed remarkable efficiency on the court. Throughout the season, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, with impressive shooting percentages. His true shooting percentage (TS%), a measure of shooting efficiency, is particularly noteworthy at 67.9%.

A significant factor contributing to his remarkable efficiency is Sheppard’s prowess as a three-point shooter. He connected on an impressive 52.1% of his three-point attempts, averaging 4.4 three-point field goals per game.

Sheppard’s versatility to transition between point and off guard positions adds to his allure, despite his smaller stature, particularly for an off-ball role as a guard. His offensive capabilities and defensive contributions off the ball make him an enticing prospect, potentially even worthy of being selected in the top five or seven of the NBA Draft.

However, while there is a possibility that Sheppard could return to college and still be drafted in the first round in 2025, it’s not guaranteed. The upcoming draft class is expected to be more competitive at the top compared to the current year.

If Sheppard were to return to Kentucky and maintain or improve his performance, he could still find himself drafted several picks lower than he would have been in the current draft. This scenario could result in another year of his NBA career being delayed while playing for the Wildcats.

Sheppard’s connection to Kentucky goes beyond the typical recruit of the Calipari era, as he is a native of the state and would have chosen to play for the Wildcats regardless of the coach. While his loyalty to UK may resonate more with fans compared to transient one-and-done players recruited by Calipari, it’s evident that Sheppard’s best move is to declare for the NBA Draft as soon as possible.

With Sheppard consistently projected in the top 10 of most mock drafts, and even in the top 5 in many, he is recognized as a special talent who could make an immediate impact for teams like the San Antonio Spurs or Charlotte Hornets as a versatile off-ball guard.

Given the risk of injury or a potential drop in draft position in the 2025 Draft, it’s not worth delaying his NBA career to give one more year to his school. While some Kentuckians may find this decision off-putting, Sheppard understands what he needs to do, and he is expected to hear his name called early in the 2024 NBA Draft.