"Best shooter I've seen since Steph Curry": Kevin O'Connor makes bold declaration about Reed Sheppard ahead of NBA Draft
Kentucky Wildcats freshman guard Reed Sheppard is looking forward to NBA Draft Day and has drawn comparisons to two-time MVP Steph Curry. In Monday's The Ringer's "NBA Draft Show" episode, Kevin O'Connor praised the promising young guard and compared his shooting to that of the Warriors star.
"Reed Sheppard is the best shooter I've seen since Steph Curry entered the league," O'Connor said. "I know he's on the smaller side but he's a good athlete. ... Reed Sheppard can leap. ... The appeal is the guarantee of his success with a jumper. ... Reed Sheppard always had a flamethrower. ... He's a knockdown free throw guy ..."
Sheppard is viewed as a top-five pick in this year's NBA Draft due to his shooting ability from beyond the arc. He is shooting 53.6% on the court, including an incredible 52.1% from 3-point range.
When it comes to prospects known for their shooting ability, the challenge is always about being able to mimic the same level of success in the NBA. Compared to college basketball defenses, the kinds of coverage the professional league runs daily vastly differ from what Sheppard has become accustomed to.
Given how good he was at shooting the ball at Kentucky, it's easy to see where the Steph Curry comparisons came from. His ability to generate his own shot as well as get to the cup off screens are all skills he can successfully use in the NBA.
Kentucky marksman talked about modeling his game to Steph Curry
During an interview with The Athletic's Shams Charania, Reed Sheppard shared some of his influences from the likes of Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Steph Curry.
Based on the kind of production he showcased with the Wildcats last year, the influence from the Warriors star remains strong in him.
"Then, you look at Steph Curry," Sheppard said. "How he moves without the ball. He'll throw the ball and he'll run a ridiculous amount just to get an open 3 and catch it real quick and get his feet down and shoot it."
Curry's effectiveness with the ball in his hands has been effective ever since he arrived in the NBA. However, what makes him a tough defensive assignment for anyone is how he moves without the basketball, which forces opposing defenses to adjust accordingly to his movement.
When it comes to Reed Sheppard, studying the game of his three idols could prove to be critical to how his development pans out once he arrives in the league.