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Despite its fair share of struggles each season, the Kentucky Wildcats have been the premiere breeding ground for elite NBA talent. They top the list with players like Devin Booker, Tyler Herro, Tyrese Maxey, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jamal Murray and more. Now, the trend continues, despite the 2024 draft talent pool being relatively weak.
Kentucky Wildcats pass-outs are quickly expected to fill the lottery list. With that, let's look at the Wildcats players who might have their names called up on July 26 and 27.
Kentucky Wildcats players going into the 2024 NBA Draft
#1 Reed Sheppard
Reed Sheppard might be the most promising 3-point shooter of the 2024 draft who can do a little bit of everything at high quality.
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He shot 52.1% from deep for the Wildcats last season and took care of business on the other end of the floor at six-foot-three. Sure, he would need time and experience to replicate his playmaking in the big league but his ability to simply put the ball in the basket could be a staple since day 1.
Sheppard can read screens, find lanes off them and has a floater game in his bag to keep defenders guessing. Even though he was seen to be lacking athleticism during his collegiate time, he recorded a 42-inch vertical at the combine.
#2 Rob Dillingham
Rob Dillingham can spot up, move off the ball, has no difficulties finding his shot, and can cruise past defenders to take it to the basket.
He loves making tough shots and passes and has all the tools to become a leader in the NBA. Moreover, he has good fundamentals to become an off-the-bench shooter or shot creator as well.
Dillingham also brings stable defense and tenacity on the other end of the floor. Given his six-foot-one frame, there are concerns about how much of that would translate into NBA. Nevertheless, the willingness is there. Having Dillingham on the floor automatically stretches the floor, which could be an aid for many teams.
#3 Antonio Reeves
Antonio Reeves has the potential to be a great shooting option on a stable roster. Being a reliable catch-and-shoot player, he also tends to attack closeouts effectively and can shoot off the dribble, draw fouls or take in inside the paint. He can also make the right reads and find open teammates.
Expect him to integrate himself even with the trickiest of actions in the team’s playbook, as he's already great at being an off-screen shooter. Even though he shows signs of having adequate lateral quickness, Antionio Reeves will need to build defensive strength, skills and balance.
#4 Justin Edwards
Justin Edwards has already seen an increase in his draft stock and represents the brief list of defensive-minded players.
He's a versatile scorer at six-foot-eight who can knock down long balls off the dribble and can step it inside to pull from the middy. He needs to do a little work to ramp up his efficiency. but his textbook form can immediately create space on the floor.
Nevertheless, Edwards can also use his athleticism to make timely off-ball cuts. He can transition to defense with the same tools and disrupt opposition plays, make steals, block shots and is also a great on-ball defender.
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