UK's Sheppard goes 'all-in' with NBA draft jump

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Kentucky freshman guard Reed Sheppard will enter the 2024 NBA draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility, he told ESPN on Thursday.

“I’m going all-in,” Sheppard said. “The opportunity I have is great. I’ve gotten really good feedback showing where I can be in the draft. I had an unbelievable year at Kentucky. It was such a fun year. It’s not easy leaving the fans and the school I dreamed of playing at. I need to do what’s best for me, and that’s heading to the NBA.”

Sheppard, the No. 7 prospect in ESPN’s NBA draft projections, was named the SEC freshman of the year and second-team all-conference after averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game and shooting 52.1% from 3. No first-round pick from college has shot over 50% from 3 on similar volume since Glen Rice at Michigan in 1988-89.

“My teammates