3 Kentucky Wildcats players to watch out for in 2024 NBA draft: Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham and Justin Edwards

The Kentucky Wildcats fell well short of their expectations in 2023-24 as they finished the season with a 23-10 record. After losing in their first game of the SEC Tournament, they suffered the same fate in the NCAA Tournament, losing to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in an 80-76 upset.

While they did not reach their goals, which ultimately led to the departure of long-time head coach John Calipari, Kentucky will still have a presence at the 2024 NBA draft, as is often the case.

Here's a closer look at three Wildcats players to watch out for in this year's draft.

3 Kentucky Wildcats players to watch out for in 2024 NBA draft

#1. Reed Sheppard

Reed Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.7 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game last season. He shot 53.6% from the field, 52.1% from 3-point range and 83.1% from the free-throw line as a true freshman. He is viewed as one of the players with the highest floors in the 2024 NBA draft.

Sheppard is considered a lock to be a lottery pick and will likely wind up being a top five pick. His ability to shoot and make plays should translate to the next level. While he is a bit undersized, he was solid on the less flashy side of the ball in college.

#2. Rob Dillingham

Rob Dillingham averaged 15.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.0 spg and 0.1 bpg in just 23.3 mpg. He shot 47.5% from the field, 44.4% from 3-point range and 79.6% from the free-throw line in his freshman season. While he has been battling an ankle injury during the pre-draft process, Dillingham should still hear his name called in the lottery portion of the 2024 NBA draft.

While he also lacks size, his ability as a scorer and shooter makes him one of the players viewed as having a high ceiling in this year's draft. Dillingham will likely be off the board within the first 10 picks.

#3. Justin Edwards

Justin Edwards averaged 8.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.9 spg and 0.2 bpg in just 21.5 mpg. He shot 48.6% from the field, 36.5% from 3-point range and 77.6% from the free-throw line as a freshman.

Despite sometimes struggling with the Kentucky Wildcats, Edwards' size and tools have led many to believe he will be a better fit at the NBA level than college. He is projected to land in the second round.