March 5, 2016: Kentucky Wildcats fans during the 2nd half of the NCAA basketball game between the LSU Tigers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. Kentucky defeated LSU 94-77. (Photo by David Blair/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by David Blair/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kentucky Officially Signs Reed Sheppard, Robert Dillingham, and Justin Edwards. Watch for DJ Wagner
Wednesday was a big day for the Kentucky basketball program, with it being the first day of the early signing period (Nov 9th-Nov 16th), the Wildcats secured signatures from three of their four commitments in the 2023 class.
London’s own and UK legacy recruit, Reed Sheppard, kicked off the night as he was the first one to sign his national letter of intent. Sheppard did so at North Laurel high school, surrounded by his family and friends.
To follow Sheppard, the program announced that Robert Dillingham had also signed his letter of intent, without a public ceremony.
This comes after signing a marketing/NIL deal with Overtime Elite last week to finish his high school career following the closure of Donda Academy. This led some to believe that Dillingham could forego Kentucky and the college route. Yet, it has been reiterated by himself and those around him that he plans on playing for Kentucky.
While he could still skip college after signing his NLI, it is important to note that Dillingham is not eligible for the 2023 NBA Draft, and this should give the Big Blue Nation even more confidence that Dillingham will be in the blue and white next season.
Kentucky’s third and final signee on Wednesday night was Justin Edwards, the Wildcat’s current highest-rated recruit.
Wednesday was a big day for the Kentucky basketball program, with it being the first day of the early signing period (Nov 9th-Nov 16th), the Wildcats secured signatures from three of their four commitments in the 2023 class.
London’s own and UK legacy recruit, Reed Sheppard, kicked off the night as he was the first one to sign his national letter of intent. Sheppard did so at North Laurel high school, surrounded by his family and friends.
To follow Sheppard, the program announced that Robert Dillingham had also signed his letter of intent, without a public ceremony.
This comes after signing a marketing/NIL deal with Overtime Elite last week to finish his high school career following the closure of Donda Academy. This led some to believe that Dillingham could forego Kentucky and the college route. Yet, it has been reiterated by himself and those around him that he plans on playing for.
While he could still skip college after signing his NLI, it is important to note that Dillingham is not eligible for the 2023 NBA Draft, and this should give the Big Blue Nation even more confidence that Dillingham will be in the blue and white next season.
Kentucky’s third and final signee on Wednesday night was Justin Edwards, the Wildcat’s current highest-rated recruit
The one commitment yet to sign his national letter of intent is Kentucky’s most recent addition, Aaron Bradshaw. However, this should not be read into too much, as Bradshaw is expected to sign later in the week.
With that said, there is one uncommitted player to keep an eye on that could sign with the Wildcats this week, Bradshaw’s teammate, DJ Wagner.
Wagner has yet to commit and after a brief battle with Louisvlle, who hired his grandfather, Milt Wagner, the Wildcats have all the momentum. The biggest reason for that comes after Wagner signed a NIL deal with Nike last month.
The groundbreaking deal makes Wagner one of the first high school athletes to sign a major shoe brand deal. Due to that, it is not reasonable for Nike to sign a player who could potentially play for an Adidas school.
At this point, it seems just like a matter of time, and according to Kentucky Sports Radio’s Jack Pilgrim, that time could be next week.
“Keep an eye on the Champions Classic, college basketball’s premier early-season event to open the year. Kentucky will be on the sport’s biggest and brightest stage, a perfect PR opportunity for both sides. The chance for Nike to bring out all of its bells and whistles to promote its newest star athlete is an obvious one — a scenario national sources feel is very much on the table.”
