Reed Sheppard’s journey from freshman Kentucky basketball star to the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA draft is a testament to his talent and determination.
Sheppard was a standout player throughout his single season at Kentucky, consistently delivering impressive performances, such as his buzzer-beater to secure a win against Mississippi State. His remarkable skills and poise earned him accolades that included SEC Freshman of the Year and national freshman of the year honors, and attracted significant attention from NBA scouts.
Selected by the Houston Rockets as the third overall pick in the draft, Sheppard joins a promising roster as he brings his high basketball IQ, work ethic and shooting prowess to the professional stage.
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
NO. 1: REED SHEPPARD JUST LIVED OUT EVERY KENTUCKY KID’S DREAM. ‘IT WAS REALLY SPECIAL FOR ME.’
Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard talks about his big night at Mississippi State, where he scored 32 points and hit a game-winning shot for the Wildcats. | Published February 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts
NO. 2: ‘THIS IS A GENERATIONAL MOMENT.’ REED SHEPPARD, TRENT NOAH PUT 13TH REGION BACK ON MAP.
For the second straight season, Kentucky’s men’s basketball team will include a scholarship player from the 13th Region. | Published May 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond
NO. 3: REED SHEPPARD IS ABOUT TO PLAY HIS FIRST NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME. HOW’S HE FEELING ABOUT IT?
On the eve of Kentucky’s first NCAA Tournament game, Reed Sheppard talks about what it means to him to play in March Madness as a Wildcat. | Published March 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts
NO. 4: ‘HE’S SO SMART’: CHRIS JANS TALKS ABOUT REED SHEPPARD’S BIG NIGHT AGAINST MISSISSIPPI ST.
Everything Chris Jans said after Mississippi State let a double-digit lead slip away in a loss to Kentucky. | Published February 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond
NO. 5: FOR AT LEAST ONE NIGHT, KENTUCKY’S REED SHEPPARD WILL BE BACK ON THE COURT IN RUPP ARENA
Reed Sheppard will return to Rupp Arena next week to host a basketball camp that includes a Q&A session with the Kentucky star and an autographed jersey. | Published April 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts
NO. 6: REED SHEPPARD REFLECTS ON HIS DECISION TO LEAVE KENTUCKY. ‘IT’S NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING.’
Former Kentucky basketball player Reed Sheppard talks to the Herald-Leader about his decision to leave UK and what’s next with the NBA draft. | Published May 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts
NO. 7: REED SHEPPARD IS ONE OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL’S BEST PLAYERS. AN ANALYTICS EXPERT EXPLAINS.
Reed Sheppard has quickly become a Kentucky basketball sensation. The numbers say he’s one of the best players in the country. Here’s why. | Published January 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts
NO. 8: FORMER UK BASKETBALL STAR REED SHEPPARD ATTENDS HIS FIRST KENTUCKY DERBY, MAKES HIS PICK
Fresh off a star freshman season at Kentucky, Reed Sheppard made an appearance at the Kentucky Derby. | Published May 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond
NO. 9: KENTUCKY BASKETBALL’S REED SHEPPARD CAN’T REALLY BE FOR REAL? CAN HE?
Even Hollywood might reject the story that Kentucky basketball freshman Reed Sheppard is writing in his home state. | Published February 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by John Clay
NO. 10: REED SHEPPARD’S BUZZER-BEATER LEADS KENTUCKY BASKETBALL PAST MISSISSIPPI STATE
Reed Sheppard hit a buzzer-beater for Kentucky in a comeback victory over Mississippi State on Tuesday night. | Published February 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts
NO. 11: WHAT IS REED SHEPPARD’S FUTURE WITH KENTUCKY BASKETBALL? NEW UK COACH MARK POPE WEIGHS IN.
New Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope discussed Reed Sheppard’s stay-or-go decision on his first UK radio show Monday night. | Published April 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond
NO. 12: REED SHEPPARD WILL ENTER THE NBA DRAFT. HIS KENTUCKY CAREER IS OVER.
Reed Sheppard is projected as a top-10 pick in this year’s NBA draft, a status that would come with guaranteed millions next season. | Published April 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts
NO. 13: THE NBA DRAFT IS NEAR. WHERE WILL REED SHEPPARD AND OTHER UK BASKETBALL PLAYERS BE GOING?
The latest NBA draft projections on Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards and Antonio Reeves, plus some other UK-related notes. | Published June 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts
NO. 14: ONE OF KENTUCKY’S BEST EVER? REED SHEPPARD IS READY FOR NEXT STEP IN BASKETBALL JOURNEY
Reed Sheppard’s unexpected ascent to basketball stardom has taken him from celebrated high school star to one of the top players available in the upcoming NBA draft. | Published June 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts
NO. 15: WHAT NBA DRAFT ANALYSTS ARE SAYING ABOUT FORMER UK BASKETBALL STAR REED SHEPPARD
A look at what NBA draft experts have been saying about former Kentucky basketball star Reed Sheppard in the lead-up to the 2024 draft. | Published June 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts
