Kentucky basketball is a fixture at every NBA Draft and that will be no different next week when multiple former Cats are expected to hear their name called.
There will be at least two former Kentucky guards selected … in the first round. Then, there is a possibility of three more to get the call from an NBA executive at some point in the second round.
This week, ESPN Draft insiders Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo released their top-100 Big Board.
Reed Sheppard and, Rob Dillingham are the big names, projected in the top 10 in nearly every mock draft since they both decided to enter the process.
Sheppard continues to be a name that is discussed at the top of the draft and while he likely won’t go as the top overall pick, he will go in the top five. Recently, however, ‘several’ NBA teams have graded Sheppard as their best available player. Right now, he’s rankd 4th overall.
“Sheppard is coming off a remarkable season, as he shot extremely well, both off the catch and off the dribble,” Givony wrote. “He came up with a huge volume of steals and blocks in spite of his limited length and also posted efficient numbers in nearly every category in between. It will be fascinating to see just how effective Sheppard’s unique blend of skill, feel and instincts translates to the NBA level.”
Dillingham is a different story. The former Kentucky guard had slipped a bit after suffering an injury during the NBA Combine but for the majority of the process has been a name near the back-end of the top 10.
ESPN has him at No. 8 overall.
“Long known for his ability to heat up in a hurry at the prep level, Dillingham backed that up with efficient perimeter shot-making and steady decision-making as a passer and scorer in his lone season in the SEC,” Givony said. “Even if he faces an uphill battle defensively, his offensive gifts give him some of the biggest star power of any prospect in this class.”
After that duo, it’s a lot murkier. Justin Edwards and Antonio Reeeves have seen their names in the second round of the draft in most mock drafts.
Currently, Edwards is projected as a top-40 and will likely end up in the early second round at No. 38.
“Edwards might not have had the most consistent season, but in his best moments, he made an impact on offense and defense with the type of size, length and pedigree that is hard to come by,” Givony wrote. “Even if it is as a role player, there’s room for optimism about what kind of player he could grow into if he puts everything together.”
For Reeves, however, there’s no clear range of where he’ll fall. Likely, it’ll be near the end of the draft in the 50’s but he could go as high as somewhere in the 40’s like Edwards. Right now, he’s slotted as the 54th best player.
“Reeves might not be the most versatile two-way player, but he was as diverse a shot-maker as there was in college basketball last season,” Givony wrote. “There’s an obvious niche for him to fill as a bench scorer, and he could have some upward mobility if he can find a way to hold his own defensively, especially off the ball.
The fifth potential Kentucky player? Tre Mitchell. Sometimes the forgotten member of the group due to an injury bug that hit last year, Mitchell has seen his stock rise a bit, albeit not to the point of sneaking into the first round. Right now, Mitchell is ranked as the No. 85 overall player.
“At his best, Mitchell is an all-around offensive weapon who can finish with touch, pass on the move and keep opposing big men honest from the perimeter,” Givony wrote. “He doesn’t have great length or explosiveness for NBA purposes, so the consistency with which he can make an impact with his skill and feel will be key to the early part of his pro career.”
Regardless of where they end up, the 2024 NBA Draft class for Kentucky will be yet another group to remember and likely a group that lasts a while in the professional ranks.
