"It's NBA, it's the best basketball players in the world": Kentucky's Reed Sheppard shares his rookie blueprint for pro success

Kentucky
Kentucky's Reed Sheppard shares his rookie blueprint for pro success

Reed Sheppard declared for the 2024 NBA Draft after a lone season with the Kentucky Wildcats. He averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 steals, playing all 33 games with five starts. The guard shot 53.6% from the floor and 52.1% from deep.

Sheppard sat down for an interview with NBA player Paul George on Podcast with P, where he spoke about how he is training to maintain his efficiency from college in the NBA.

“The main thing, you know, is just staying in the gym and getting the reps up, getting the shots up," Reed Sheppard said. "And then, a big thing that Don emphasizes is like fast feet, just getting your feet down, getting the shot, you know, everything game speed and the workouts."
"But at the same time, you know it's going to be a learning experience. It's different. It's the NBA, it's the best basketball players in the world. So just learning from guys like you and guys like the other vets and just seeing how everyone can get to their shot and get their feet set. It'll be a lot of fun being able to learn and just enjoy the whole thing," he added.
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Reed Sheppard: NBA Draft projection

After a phenomenal college season and promising performances at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Reed Sheppard is projected to be the third overall pick, according to ESPN's latest mock draft. His NBA team could be the Houston Rockets.

Sheppard would be the perfect fit under coach Ime Udoka, who needs someone like the guard to fix Houston's shooting woes and strengthen the bench. However, Jeremy Brener of Inside The Rockets has opined that the team should pass up on Reed Sheppard, owing to his restricted skillset. While a great shooter, the 6-foot-3 guard would be an easy target for the opponent's defense.

"Sheppard might not be ready to play right away, and his size means he will have to be a really good defender," Brener said (via Sports Illustrated). "There's no reason why Sheppard can't be that elite defender, but he isn't there yet. He'll need to develop a lot with whichever team that drafts him."
"Given where the Rockets are, it may not be in their best interest to take a prospect like Sheppard with the third overall pick. It's entirely possible he wouldn't even crack the rotation should he join the Rockets, so if the front office is going to bring Sheppard to Houston, it's because they believe in his ability to learn and develop at a fast pace," Brener added.

Bleacher Report predicts Sheppard to land with the San Antonio Spurs at No. 8 overall while CBS Sports projects him as a top-five pick.

The 2024 NBA Draft will be held on June 26 and 27.

What are your predictions for Reed Sheppard in the 2024 NBA Draft? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Also Read: "I know I can jump but..." - Reed Sheppard recalls being stunned at his 2024 NBA draft combine measurements

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Edited by Parag Jain
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