LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky reserve guard Reed Sheppard, who was voted the Southeastern Conference’s top freshman by coaches after leading the league in steals, says he will enter the NBA draft.
The London, Kentucky, native was considered one of the conference’s best playmakers and perimeter shooters. He said in a social media post that it was time to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA and asked fans “to go with me” in a one-minute video.
Sheppard’s father, Jeff, was the 1998 Final Four Most Outstanding Player and helped the Wildcats win two national championships, while his mother, Stacey, was a 1,000-point scorer for Kentucky’s women’s team.
Sheppard started just five of 33 games, but was Kentucky’s No. 3 scorer at 12.5 points per contest and averaged an SEC-best 2.5 steals that ranked eighth nationally.
Sheppard also ranked fourth in the SEC with 4.5 assists per game, averaged 4.1 rebounds and made 52% of his 3-point attempts. He earned the Wayman Tisdale Award as the nation’s top freshman as selected by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
Sheppard is the second Wildcat to enter the draft along with fellow freshman Rob Dillingham, the SEC’s top sixth man who declared last week.
Palestinian American poet Fady Joudah receives $100,000 prize
China Making Great Strides in Women's Cause
Classical Art Seeking New Forms of Expression
Working on Farms in Africa Full of Challenges, Pleasure
Hanna and Haley Cavinder say they're returning for last season at Miami
Enjoying Scenery, Folk Culture in Wuchuan
Shenzhen to host 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup
Dessert Brand Reveals Sweet Tastes from Hutong
Missouri lawmakers back big expansion of low
Zhang Yufei wins women's 100m butterfly at Hangzhou Asiad