Kentucky fans were put through something of an emotional roller coaster on Thursday.
Reed Sheppard officially declared for the 2024 NBA Draft via social media. Sheppard was the Wildcats third-best scorer last season with 12.5 points per game.
This could potentially be a major roadblock for what Mark Pope was trying to do at Kentucky. The former player and now head coach will have to look elsewhere for some reliable scoring. This leaves Kentucky without two of its top three scorers from last season with Robb Dillingham also declaring for the draft.
The team’s top scorer Antonio Reeves hasn’t declared yet, but is expected to go to the draft as well. Reeves led the team with 20.2 points per game.
One Kentucky fan emphasized the importance of giving Pope time.
“People, relax,” They said. “Mark Pope is on his 4th day here at Kentucky. Some of the best players have yet to enter the portal. Give the dude some time.”
Kentucky sports radio host Matt Jones reported that Pope was out on a recruiting visit shortly before the news broke. A Kentucky fan questioned what the point was of the visit.
“Matt, what good is this doing,” He said. “It’s going to be rough this season, and seeing Cal getting whatever he wants is so frustrating, but hopefully, in the long term, we will prosper.”
It’s apparent that Sheppard’s last game in a Kentucky game left a bad taste in fans’ mouths. Sheppard had 3 points in the loss to Oakland that sent Kentucky packing from the NCAA Tournament.
“The only reason for all his accolades is because it’s the Kentucky boy. He accomplished nothing of value. ZERO wins in SECT and NCAAT This nonsense about over hyping Failure because he was born here and the emotional hire of Mark Pope will come back to bite Kentucky.”
Fans even questioned whether there’s anything left in the tank in Lexington after the news.
“There isn’t anything in the tank in Lexington,” One fan said. “They’ll be lucky to make the NIT unless Mark Pope somehow beats out much more stable programs and coaches for hella transfers. Reed Shepards number 1 priority is Reed Shepard.”
Some fans are taking things better than most.
“The only good thing about all of this, we go into the new year with all of Mark Pope recruiting. No excuses to say ‘these weren’t my players.'”
“Between the Reed Sheppard and Aly Khalifa news I’m really hoping Mark Pope’s recruiting trips this week are fruitful” Another commented.
Mark Pope Superfan believes the decision was the worst move Sheppard could have made.
“Reed made the wrongest right decision for his collegiate and professional career,” he said. “It’s an absolute travesty that he has zero post-season wins in a Kentucky jersey.”
“…either somebody is not leaking news or mark pope is just chillen in his new office with his feet kicked up, I highly doubt it, considering he’s been on a plane all day. WE NEED PLAYERS!!!!”
Zyavier Ricks wants Big Blue Nation to give Pope more time.
“BBN please have patience,” Ricks said. “Mark pope was hired 6 days ago. The recruits will come. The assistants will come. A lot of the stuff going on happens behind the scenes and not in the public eye.”
The move may have been in the cards for a while, but that won’t make it sting any less for Kentucky.
“It felt like it was inevitable but that doesn’t make it sting any less,” Cole Parke said. “Reed Sheppard will leave Kentucky after one season and enter the NBA. Major potential piece of Mark Pope’s first roster gone.”
Pope will need to do something fast to keep fans happy. Things are not off to a good start in Lexington under the new head coach.