It’s weird to call Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham former Kentucky Wildcats, but that’s where we are. It feels like they just got to Lexington to open their careers, and now, they’re out in Las Vegas taking the NBA Summer League by storm — especially the Houston Rockets rookie.
Tyler Ulis was out in Sin City this weekend watching it all unfold, a full-circle moment for someone who was once in their shoes getting his start in the league. He was a college basketball star who thrived as a pro before injuries and a life-threatening car accident derailed his career, bringing him back to Kentucky to coach. Now, he’s helping the next generation of talent pick up where he left off, starting in Lexington and now at Arkansas with John Calipari.
It’s an adjustment watching things unfold from the bench rather than on the court, but the reward makes it all worthwhile. He felt that in Vegas watching his guys suit up and make their debuts as pros.
“It’s a lot more nerves on the coach’s side. You can’t do it yourself. And you know the hours these guys put in, watching Coach Cal, Bruiser (Flint) and all these guys. The amount of film they watch, the amount of meetings we have, the amount of things we do to try to get these kids prepared,” Ulis said on KSR. “Whether it’s on or off the court, the things we deal with, it’s just a lot of hours. But it’s a lot of fun.
“I feel like I reaped the benefits when I got to see those guys play in Vegas. I just left Vegas, saw Reed play up close, Antonio (Reeves), Rob, Oscar (Tshiebwe), Justin (Edwards). It was great to see all those guys.”
Sheppard has been arguably the best player in the event, averaging 20.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.0 steals on 49.0% shooting through three games. He not only looks too good for Summer League, but also that he was snubbed as the No. 1 overall pick.
That realization doesn’t shock Ulis after seeing him explode into national superstardom as a household name in Lexington.
“I haven’t really seen all the hype about it, but I was courtside and watched him play (in Las Vegas). I’m not surprised,” he said. “I’ve been the biggest Reed fan since he got on campus and I’m really proud of him. I’m really proud of what he’s doing and I can’t wait to see what he does from here on out.”
As for Dillingham, he’s struggled with efficiency to open his pro career, but he’s still producing on the big stage with the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 9.3 points, 6.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds per contest.
For Ulis, it’s the exact situation the flashy guard needed to reach his All-Star ceiling in the NBA.
“Rob, I feel like that’s the best place he could have landed. That was really big for me, where he landed, because of how he plays,” Ulis said. “In the NBA, when you go on teams who aren’t that good — like, I went a month without winning a game. When you’re on teams like that, you kind of get lost in the shuffle.
“Rob being on that team under Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards and the confidence he has, the confidence Rob carries himself, I think it’s going to be really good for him.”
What about Kentucky’s third draft pick of this cycle, Antonio Reeves? Why did he fall to No. 47 overall coming off a historic season in Lexington, averaging the most points per game under John Calipari at Kentucky? And that was considered a good draft night for the former Wildcat considering — some analysts thought he may go undrafted leading up to the event.
Ulis isn’t sure, but believes in the All-American’s guard to break through as a pro and stick around for the long haul.
“Honestly, I’m not sure (why Reeves was undervalued),” he said. “The NBA is just — you know they have their ways. Antonio, he’s a little older at 22, 23 years old. He’s a 6-5 guard who shoots the lights out. I always said Antonio woke up with 20 points. I think he’ll have a long career because of how well he shoots the ball, his size, he can defend. I think once he gets in those locker rooms and gets around these NBA teams, he’ll stick.”
Kentucky stars turned NBA stars? Ulis believes in his guys to make it happen.
