Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham are projected top ten picks in the NBA Draft later this month, so it should come as no surprise that the former Cats are being tabbed as the best of the best in the draft class by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo. The duo released their 2024 NBA Draft superlatives today, handing out awards to prospects for 20 different skills. Reed was named “Best Spot-Up Shooter,” while Rob got the nod as “Best Ball Handler.”
“Sheppard gave defenses headaches at Kentucky with absurdly consistent shot-making prowess, hitting 56 of his 109 catch-and-shoot attempts (per Synergy) and shooting 51.4% on the season from long range,” Woo wrote. “His release is compact and consistent, with minimal dip and wasted motion, and his lower-body balance and shot-prep habits are excellent, giving him a high-level skill that should translate to NBA range.”
Sheppard led the nation in three-point percentage this season (52.1%) and is considered the No. 4 prospect in the draft by Woo and Givony. He is No. 3 in their latest mock draft, projected to be selected by the Houston Rockets, who finished toward the bottom of the league in scoring last season. Woo sees a bright future for Reed in the league.
“Sheppard, ranked No. 4 in ESPN’s Top 100, looks comfortable from all over the arc, and has a great baseline to keep improving, with room to hone his shot even more off the bounce if he can gain separation at a higher level. His ability to space the floor away from the ball simplifies his path into a role quite a bit, with his ceiling tied to how much he can expand his game as a handler. But there’s a very legitimate shooting profile here that could also see him become more of an off-ball threat if needed.”
When it comes to Dillingham, there’s no denying he is most dangerous with the ball in his hands. Givony raved about Dillingham’s ball-handling skills, which he believes will flourish with the added space in the NBA.
“Dillingham’s jittery handle, burst and explosive change of gear makes it difficult for opponents to stay in front of him. He has a wide array of elusive moves at his disposal, including herky-jerky crossovers, double crossovers, in-and-out dribbles, behind-the-back dribbles and more, which he combines with sharp changes of speed, accelerating from slow to fast with either hand to take the paint and finish with touch around the rim.
“The threat of his pull-up jumper, as well as his ability to probe, use or reject ball screens gives the ESPN Top 100 No. 7 Dillingham great potential manipulating opposing defenses. He will be even more of a threat with the plethora of space he’ll enjoy in the NBA.”
Dillingham is No. 6 in ESPN’s latest mock draft, projected to go to the Charlotte Hornets. That mock two more former Cats, Justin Edwards at No. 29 (Utah) and Antonio Reeves at No. 58 (Dallas). The draft takes place June 27-28 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
