Kentucky freshman Reed Sheppard could be a top five pick in Wednesday's draft in part because of his shooting. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Every member of Reed Sheppard’s family thought he had the “potential” to play in the NBA. However, even his family members were not quite ready for this unexpected journey that likely will have him be one of the top five picks in Wednesday’s NBA Draft.
Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game in his freshman season at Uk and shot 53.6 percent from the field, including a nation best 52.1 percent from 3-point range. He was the only player in the country to have 145 assists, 80 steals and 75 3-pointers last season and became just the second player in UK history to have 80 or more steals in a single season.
“It has just been a whirlwind in the last year from high school to Kentucky and now the NBA,” said Madison Sheppard Wigginton, Reed’s older sister. “We knew he had the potential but did not know he would navigate the journey so quickly through the draft process and give himself all the right resources. It just happened so far and here we are almost at the draft.
“It really has been fun. We have got to see a lot of cool people and have a lot of cool experiences. He has got to learn and train under some unique individuals.”
He went to California in April and other than separate visits from family members was there by himself.
“He has really grown up and matured,” his sister said. “I am proud of him and excited to see where we go next. I am looking forward to reuniting on Sunday in New York and excited to see where the Lord has prepared him to go. It has been neat to watch the Lord take care of Reed in this process.”
ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo rates Sheppard as the best spot-up shooter in the draft. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has him as one of the top five players in the draft. If he’s the No. 5 pick, he would make over $8.2 million his rookie season and about $26 million in three years. If he went third, his first year salary would be about $10 million and about $32 million over three years.
Sheppard will have plenty of supporters in Brooklyn for the first round of the draft Wednesday night at the Barclays Center. He’s been invited to attend the draft because of his likely high selection.
Wigginton obviously will be there in the group of about 75 family members and friends.
“They are coming from all over the United States,” she said. “I have been working with them, booking hotel rooms and buying draft tickets. I really don’t have any idea what to expect. I am excited to experience it with Reed and our family. I just know we are supposed to be in a certain place at a certain time. I am not nervous. We are pretty pumped up actually.”
Wigginton knows with her brother likely being a high draft pick that the ESPN cameras will be focused on him.
“I am not very good at hiding my expressions and emotions. I have to be aware of that,” she said. “I need to have the same reaction for the No. 1 pick as the 22nd pick. I don’t want it to look like I expect him to go to any one place. I want to have the same reaction regardless and be genuine with it, so I might need to practice.”
5 Responses
Sit back and try to remember when YOU were 18 and then try to digest what the next year will be like for Reed. Little different than the 606.
Incredible journey. Very happy to see a genuine WildCat getting such accolades in spite of being blocked from starting!!! It really exposes a lot and also reveals the amazing job both of his parents have done raising him with regards to character as well as BB.
May the Lord Himself intercede and operate in the minds & hearts of the leaders of the NBA team best for Reed’s well-being in all aspects of life, so they absolutely can’t wait to draft him.
He will not disappoint, he is good and well mannered
So good to see our home grown young man do so much with his life! I think he would be a higher pick if he had got to start all the games like he deserve to! But you can’t keep a good cat down, he has everything going for him, a WONDERFUL FAMILY, I hollered at his daddy many times when he played for the BBN , of course he didn’t hear me through the tv. Lol But I think he took more after his mama when it comes to basketball, and that O.K. Go REED!
Se are about to see the start of an s as maxing NBA career. Similar to John Stockton, Reed will contribute in all parts of the court and play his heart out every single time. He will always contribute and look good but his best asset will be making others look better. With such a great family he will not let the limelight or huge salary change the humble and moral person he is. Wish him all the luck in the world.