Pros and disadvantages of Reed Sheppard’s return to Kentucky: Should the Wildcats freshman play for Mark Pope in 2024-25?
Sheppard is the No. 5 prospect in CBS Sports’ NBA Draft prospect rankings.
A new era in Kentucky basketball is on the horizon after longtime coach John Calipari left the club to take over at Arkansas. Just days after Calipari’s surprise departure, UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart selected BYU coach Mark Pope to succeed him.
Pope has strong links to the Bluegrass State, dating back to his playing days from 1994 to 1996. Pope was teammates and roommates with Jeff Sheppard, the father of current Kentucky standout Reed Sheppard. The younger Sheppard hasn’t decided whether to enter the 2024 NBA Draft or return to Kentucky for his second season.
“It’s a good question,” said Jeff Sheppard to the Lexington Herald-Leader on Friday. “You know, Mark has been my friend for a long time. I do not know. Last night was late, and I haven’t had much time to talk to Reed about it. He’s trying to gather knowledge in order to really understand where he is. “There’s obviously a lot of talk.”
Sheppard is ranked No. 5 in CBS Sports’ NBA Draft prospect rankings. Sheppard was selected the CBS Sports Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 steals.
Here are some benefits and downsides of Sheppard returning at Kentucky for another season.
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It’s no secret that the Sheppards have strong links to the incoming Kentucky coach. The elder Sheppard and Pope were major members of Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team and have remained in contact. In an interview with BBN Tonight on Friday, the older Sheppard quipped that Pope paid his son’s first in-home visit more than a decade ago.
“Mark Pope has known Reed Sheppard since Reed was a little bitty fella,” Sheppard stated during the interview. “When Mark was an assistant coach at Georgia a long time ago, Reed was six or seven? Pope boasts that he was the first coach to conduct an in-house visit for Reed when he was seven years old, and he includes that on his resume.
That connection could be an important element in Sheppard’s upcoming decision.
The phrase “take the money or leave it” could be used here. If Sheppard declares for the draft, he will almost certainly be a lottery choice. Kyle Boone and David Cobb of CBS Sports predict Sheppard will be drafted first overall. 4, and Gary Parrish has him at No. 2. Sheppard has grown from a four-star recruit ranked No. 79 in 247Sports’ 2023 recruiting cycle to one of the most intriguing draft possibilities in his class. Sheppard’s draft status has risen dramatically in the previous five months, and it might improve even further depending on how he performs at the NBA Combine next month. Sheppard was one of college basketball’s most effective players last season. Because of this, he should be able to find a role on whatever team drafts him from the start.
Despite playing 28.9 minutes per game, Sheppard made just five starts in 33 games. Sheppard backed up Antonio Reeves and D.J. Wagner in the starting backcourt and came off the bench with fellow freshman Rob Dillingham. With Reeves out of eligibility and Dillingham headed to the NBA, Sheppard would have a good chance of making the starting lineup. Sheppard’s draft stock might skyrocket if he plays a bigger role in his second season. Another motive for a prospective return could be name, image, and likeness. Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio stated that two UK donors donated at least $4 million to help Pope construct the roster.
