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Kentucky
Reed Sheppard

Kentucky

Freshman
HT/WT/WS6' 3", 187lbs
Age19

PTS

12.5
  

AST

4.5
  

REB

4.1
  

FG%

53.6
 

Big Board Rankings


Community Scouting Reports (50)


CouchScout
u/CouchScout

#4

RANK



Upsides

• Best shooter in this class and it isn’t particularly close, he is insanely efficient and is excellent off the ball

• Good playmaker when he actually gets the opportunity, he is smart and has good court vision

• Very underrated shot creator, he isn’t super crafty but he is good with the ball in his hands, especially around the perimeter

• Excellent hands on defense, he can strip the ball away from anyone

• He is a pretty good guarding PGs and smaller SGs, he is tough and doesn’t give them an easy time

• He is super smart, it’s like he knows exactly what to do and where to be on what feels like every possession


Downsides

• His size hurts him against bigger players defensively

• He hasn’t gotten to shine as much as other prospects because he is playing on a team with other good ball handlers


Projection

• Reed is going to find a role in the NBA right away with his shooting, active defense, and high IQ play on both ends of the floor

• Undoubtedly the safest bet in this class to be a good NBA player one day, he is good enough of a shooter to find a role no matter what and his passing+defense will keep him in roles where he gets significant minutes

• Reed has one of the most underrated ceilings in this draft class, he is skilled enough to be an All-Star, even an All-NBA caliber player one day

Shades of: John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Fred VanVleet, TJ McConnell




Analysis done by @CouchScout. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
jbb
u/jbb

#2

RANK


Arguably the highest floor player in the draft, Sheppard is a super smart player. A great ball handler, never turns the ball over, very smart passer and cutter, and a very good defender. This is without mentioning his best skill - his shooting. He’s shooting unheard of splits - 65-55-90. This is nuts, he could be a more versatile version of a Kyle korver or potentially a shorter Klay. The biggest Hangup on him is his upside, he’s never going to win mvp or anything crazy like that and he’s probably never going to average 30 points a game but he should be an ultra impactful player for any team day one



Analysis done by @jbb. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Wiseman
u/gentofxtc

#4

RANK


Reed Sheppard

[img]http://i.imgur.com/B82myfu.png[/img][/url]]()

https://youtu.be/QMYGeMbZhYY?si=TFcWk2aeONdjJN1N

He is only 6'3 but he looks like a 6'3 Klay Thompson. Best shooter in the draft and good defender. I guess the worry would be how does his defense translate to the nba at his size. But there are good short players in the nba. I believe he has too much BBIQ, motor, and fundamentals to be a bust or pass on. If we get him, his main progression should probably be shot creation and defense translating.



Analysis done by @gentofxtc. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
UNCjockstrap
u/UNCjockstrap

#5

RANK


So far he has the greatest shooting splits of probably any freshman all time. He’s a versatile passer and is a good peremiter defender. A bit undersized for a shooting guard, and with his lack of burst I see him being more of a point guard in the NBA. He is a versatile 3pt shooter as he can shoot off the move, catch, and bounce. He has great hands on defense which has lead to many steals. While he will certainly not keep up his current percentages, he will cement himself in the top ten if they stay very high.



Analysis done by @UNCjockstrap. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Jack Anderson
u/jda7749

#11

RANK


Reed Sheppard - Kentucky (PG/SG - HT: 6’2” -

- Smallish combo guard who can shoot, defend, and playmake. 
- Amazing shooter, mostly on spot ups. Super quick release.
- Not much of a shot creator for himself
- Good playmaker but maybe not a full time PG
- Gets a lot of steals but I question his quickness at the next level
  • pretty limited athleticism. Does not have any pop

    • Shades of Gary Harris with more passing, Aaron Holiday with more shooting, Seth Curry with more defense, Austin Reaves with less height Range: 3 - 12



Analysis done by @jda7749. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Dave Tippit
u/davetippit

#5

RANK


Tier 1 - Ceiling:

All-Star, 3PM & 3PT% NBA League Leader

Nationality

American

Draft Day Age

19.99

Wingspan

6'3

Avg ranking (top 6 NBA draft sites) 12.2

My Jan Ranking 4

Best Case - Shades of/

Coby White

Derrick White

Mark Price

Stats:

26.0 MPG

11.9 PPG

74.1 TS% on 7.0 FGA

53.6 3PT% on 4.0 FGA

87.1 FT% on 2.2 FTA

9.0 TRB%

24.0 AST%

5.1 STL%

3.4 BLK%

15.1 TO%

17.3 USG%

140.2 ORTG

92.8 *DRTG

14.3 BPM



Analysis done by @davetippit. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
PHILLY IN CHARGE 🟦
u/SixersinCharge

#7

RANK


Reed Sheppard Scouting Report (as of January 7, 2024)

Overview:

Reed Sheppard is a 6'3", 185-pound point guard from the Kentucky Wildcats with a strong case for being a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He's known for his shooting prowess, floor generalship, and defensive tenacity, making him a well-rounded prospect who can contribute to both ends of the court.

Strengths:

Elite shooter: Sheppard boasts an elite shooting stroke, making him a consistent threat from beyond the arc. He can hit open shots with ease, both in catch-and-shoot situations and coming off screens. His ability to space the floor creates opportunities for himself and his teammates. Intelligent playmaker: While not a flashy passer, Sheppard plays with a high basketball IQ and makes smart decisions with the ball in his hands. He can orchestrate the offense efficiently, find open teammates with timely passes, and manage the game effectively. Strong defensive player: Despite his size, Sheppard is a pesky and energetic defender. He possesses good footwork, uses his length effectively, and disrupts passing lanes with active hands. His effort and hustle on defense are valuable assets. Leadership qualities: Sheppard demonstrates strong leadership potential on the court. He's a vocal leader who communicates effectively with his teammates and leads by example with his work ethic and positive attitude.

Weaknesses:

Limited athleticism: Compared to some NBA point guards, Sheppard lacks elite athleticism. This could limit his ability to finish through contact in the paint, particularly against bigger and stronger defenders. Average scorer: While he can create his own shot, Sheppard isn't a prolific scorer. He primarily focuses on facilitating for others and relies on his shooting to generate offense. He might need to improve his shot creation skills to become a consistent scorer at the NBA level. Turnover-prone: At times, Sheppard can struggle with ball security, leading to turnovers. He needs to improve his decision-making and refine his dribbling skills to reduce turnovers in the NBA's faster-paced environment.

Overall:

Reed Sheppard is a high-character prospect with a well-rounded skillset that could translate well to the NBA. His elite shooting, intelligent playmaking, and defensive hustle make him a valuable asset, especially for teams seeking a floor general who can contribute on both ends of the court. While he might not be a dominant scorer, his leadership and basketball IQ could make him a valuable piece for a team looking to build a winning culture.

Additional Notes:

Sheppard comes from a basketball lineage, with his father Jeff Sheppard having played professionally in Europe. Some scouts compare him to a young Delon Wright due to his defensive prowess, playmaking abilities, and leadership qualities, while others see him as a more offensively-oriented player like Tyus Jones. His shooting ability, leadership, and defensive tenacity make him a good fit for any team seeking a reliable point guard who can contribute immediately and grow into a key role player in the NBA. Overall, Reed Sheppard is a player to watch closely in the lead-up to the 2024 NBA Draft. He has the talent and potential to be a valuable asset for any team, and his work ethic and positive attitude suggest he is ready to contribute at the next level.



Analysis done by @SixersinCharge. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
John Pikiell
u/jpikiell7

#6

RANK


STUD. Best offensive skillset in the draft. Knockdown shooter, elite passer. Decent defender, works his tail off and forces steals. only knock is physically. Has a quick first step but struggles to get to the rim. Not super unathletic but wish he was taller and had more bounce. A better Payton Pritchard that can actually defend. Shades of Colby White.



Analysis done by @jpikiell7. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Kaelen Sywyk
u/kaelensywyk4310

#5

RANK


Reed Sheppard is the son of former NBA player and Kentucky basketball legend Jeff Sheppard. Although Jeff didn't have a long NBA career, Reed has the opportunity to not only have a long NBA career but to also be a star in the league for years to come.

Reed Sheppard is a swiss army knife type player. He impacts the game on both ends of the floor.

Reed Sheppard is making his case for the best freshman in all of college basketball, competing against his own teammate Rob Dillingham for that honor.

Bio: 6 foot 3: 187 pounds: 19 years old (04): Point Guard / Shooting Guard

Strengths: Excellent three point shooter: Free throws: Ball handling: Court vision: On ball defense: Good at blocking shots for a 6 foot 3 guard: Has that DAWG in him

Weaknesses: At times he can be careless: Sometimes isn't confident enough: Small frame: Limited offensively off the ball: Not very fast

FINAL SUMMARY: Reed Sheppard is a dynamic college player and he is the reason why Kentucky wins some of its games. He is one of the most consistent three point shooters in the country, and he is a clutch free throw shooter as well. Reed has all of the characteristics of a lead NBA guard, I have no doubt that he will be able to run an NBA offense. On the defensive end Reed is fun to watch, he averages just under 3 steals a game and just under 1 block a game as a freshman. Even with Reed's small frame he is able to hound the opposing offensive players relentlessly. He is not the most athletically gifted player but he makes up for it with his effort on both ends of the floor. Any NBA team would benefit immediately from imputing Reed into their rotation. Reed should be a lottery pick, he is one of the most well rounded players in the draft and he might be the most well rounded guard in the whole draft.



Analysis done by @kaelensywyk4310. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Thomas Hielkema
u/sportfanthomas

#9

RANK


Reed Sheppard has me bamboozled. Watching him is incredible and fun, but I don't know how high of a ceiling he has. I want to put him higher and I don't blame anyone who does, but I think in this class I want to take a swing on a higher upside guy.

Now with all that being said, Reed is incredible. He was so close to joining the elite company in the 50/50/90 club, but was a little too low in the FTs. I don't want to say "glue guy" or "complimentary piece", but that's what he is, and that's not a knock on him. He will never be the flashiest offensive player or point guard, but he will get the job done almost every time.

Defensively he is a little undersized to guard shooting guards, but with his technique and enough athleticism, I think he can. Similar to an Alex Caruso or Patrick Beverley who play bigger than their size.

Ceiling: 2015-16 Kyle Lowry, 2016-17 Mike Conley, MVP Steve Nash Floor: Non-Toronto Kyle Lowry Comparison: Efficient Fred VanVleet

Top Fits:

  1. Houston Rockets

  2. Washington Wizards

  3. San Antonio Spurs



Analysis done by @sportfanthomas. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.