Sheppard declares for NBA Draft

Reed Sheppard’s Kentucky career is over.

The UK freshman guard has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and will forgo his remaining college eligibility, he announced Thursday.

“I’m so thankful to wear the blue and white jersey that represents my family, my friends and the hard-working, faithful fans of the Big Blue Nation,” Sheppard said in his social media post. “Kentucky is home, Kentucky will always be home. However, there is another part of my dream. To play basketball in the NBA. And it’s time to pursue that dream.”

Sheppard joined John Wall (2010) and Anthony Davis (2012) as John Calipari’s third USBWA National Freshman of the Year at Kentucky after averaging 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals in 28.9 minutes per game while shooting 53.6% from the floor, 52.1% from 3 and 83.1% from the free throw line off the bench.

He was also named National Freshman of the Year by the NABC, CBS Sports, ESPN, and Dick Vitale in addition to being voted SEC Freshman of the Year and second team All-SEC by both the Associated Press and league coaches.

Sheppard finished the season ranked in the top 10 all-time at Kentucky among freshmen in five statistical categories: first in 3-point field goal percentage (52.1), second in steals (82), fifth in made 3s (75), eighth in assists (148), and ninth in free throw percentage (83.1). He was also the first player in school history with three games of 25-plus points, 5-plus rebounds, and 5-plus assists in a single season.

Per KenPom.com, Sheppard led the nation in 3-point field goal percentage, ranked sixth in true shooting percentage (69.9%) and eighth in effective field goal percentage (67.9%). He was the only player in the country with at least 145 assists, 80 steals and 70 made 3s through March 24.

On the season, Sheppard, who posted seven 20-point games, could become the highest native Kentuckian to play for UK taken in the NBA Draft since Rex Chapman went No. 8 overall to the Charlotte Hornets in 1988.

Coming out of North Laurel High School in London, Sheppard was named a McDonald’s All-American and was ranked No. 43 overall in the 2023 class by the industry average 247Sports Composite.

The NBA Draft will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn June 26-27.

Since 2010, no school has produced more No. 1 overall picks (three), top-10 picks (15), lottery picks (23), first round picks (35) and total draft picks (47) than Kentucky.

Since the NBA went to a two-round draft in 1989, the Wildcats now have the most players drafted overall with 63, 46 of which have come in the first round. UK has also had at least one player drafted in 16 consecutive drafts, the longest active streak of any school, and a first round pick in 14 straight drafts, the longest streak in the common era. The Cats have produced multiple draft picks in 14 consecutive drafts.