With the official NBA Draft declaration of fan favorite Reed Sheppard, it’s both a sad and happy day for Big Blue Nation.
Reed walked onto campus as a fan favorite because both of his parents played for Kentucky, but his exceptional play on the court made Kentucky fans love him even more.
Fans were curious about Sheppard’s potential role on this team when he arrived in Kentucky. Given that he went on to become the best freshman in college basketball, he clearly played a part. Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and a scorching 52.1% three-point shooting percentage during the season.
What makes him so useful to NBA teams is his ability to create offense and shoot the ball. It appears that Sheppard will be selected in the top ten of the draft, according to a variety of mock drafts, which probably made the decision to waive his college eligibility much simpler.
The appointment of Mark Pope as the next head basketball coach by Mitch Barnhart raised hopes among some Kentucky fans that Sheppard would return to Lexington because Pope and Sheppard’s father, Jeff, shared a room during their 1996 National Championship run.
Although Sheppard’s departure from the University of Kentucky will disappoint some fans, everyone in Big Blue Nation is thrilled that the London, Kentucky native will play for the Bluegrass State in the NBA.
Sheppard is expected to be selected among the first ten picks in the upcoming NBA Draft, which takes place on June 26.
