Reed Sheppard 2024 NBA draft Projection: Player comparison & projected draft pick for Kentucky sharpshooter

Reed Sheppard has been one of the fastest-rising prospects in the 2024 NBA draft. Sheppard was a top-25 recruit and a McDonald’s All-American coming out of North Laurel High School. He attended the University of Kentucky, where he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and the National Freshman of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Sheppard is projected to be one of the best shooters in the draft. The six-foot-three guard has also shown his excellent playmaking, good touch around the basket and tenacity as a defender in his lone year with the Kentucky Wildcats.

He averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 55.2% from the two-point area, 83.1% from the free-throw line and an impressive 52.1% from the three-point range.

One of his player comparisons is the Houston Rockets’ Fred VanVleet. Both are elite scoring guards and serviceable defenders for their size, though Sheppard is more touted than VanVleet was when he entered the league.

Reed Sheppard vs. Fred VanVleet - Strengths

Reed Sheppard and Fred VanVleet have similar styles of play. Both possess great scoring skills, such as speed and shooting. Sheppard shot an astounding 52.1% from the three-point range on 4.4 attempts per game in college, establishing him as one of the best offensive talents in the year.

Like VanVleet, Sheppard is also a hard worker on the defensive end as he tallied 2.5 steals in his freshman year. He has a knack for anticipating the ball and staying one step ahead of the opposing offense.

In the last six seasons, VanVleet’s steals average has never waned under 1.4 per game, sharing a skill set with Sheppard that is valuable among guards in the league.

Reed Sheppard vs. Fred VanVleet - Weaknesses

One concern for Sheppard is how he will deal with the physicality in the big league. Sheppard is a small guard who lacks the physical tools to match up with more athletic guards in the league.

VanVleet faced the same issue, however, his scoring ability offset this disadvantage. Although Sheppard is about two inches taller than VanVleet, he is expected to be targeted by offenses hunting for mismatches.

Reed Sheppard's other comparisons and draft projections

Reed Sheppard’s archetype is a rare breed in the NBA today. Some of his current comparisons are the siblings Tyus Jones and Tre Jones, who are both undersized guards capable of playmaking, shooting and providing a decent defense for their teams.

The Houston Rockets, with the number three pick in the draft, might select Sheppard as an understudy to VanVleet, who is entering his second year with the team. Sheppard’s timeline also aligns with the Rockets’ young core of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun.