2024 NBA Draft Day 1 Picks: Top 3 SEC players picked ft. Reed Sheppard
The Southeastern Conference was well represented in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft on Wednesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Three SEC players were selected in the first round with the Houston Rockets choosing Kentucky's Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 pick.
Five picks later, the San Antonio Spurs selected Sheppard's teammate, Rob Dillingham, but was eventually shipped to the Minnesota Timberwolves for an unprotected first-round pick in 2031 and a 2030 pick swap (Top 1 protected). Then, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off one of the biggest surprises so far, picking Tennessee superstar Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 overall pick.
Here are the top three SEC players picked in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft.
Top 3 SEC players picked in the first round of 2024 NBA draft
#3. Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
The Los Angeles Lakers secured a new offensive weapon in Dalton Knecht as its first-round selection. The 6-foot-5 guard showed signs of brilliance in Tennessee this past season, averaging 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 30.6 minutes of playing time. He shot 45.8% from the field, including 39.7% from the 3-point line.
Knecht led the Volunteers to an Elite Eight appearance where he figured in a big-time shootout with fellow first-rounder and Purdue standout Zach Edey. Knecht top-scored for Tennessee with a team-high 37 points, but that was not enough as Edey poured on 40 markers to lead the Boilermakers to a 72-66 win.
Knecht is expected to form a partnership with Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell in the Lakers' backcourt now coached by JJ Redick.
#2. Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
The Minnesota Timberwolves were probably thinking of Rob Dillingham playing as an efficient sixth man who can provide a spark off the bench when superstar Anthony Edwards is resting. This is why the Timberwolves acquired the 6-foot-1 Kentucky standout from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for future draft picks.
Dillingham produced effectively off the bench in his lone season with the Wildcats, averaging 15.2 ppg, 3.9 apg, 2.9 rpg and 1.0 spg in 32 games. He shot 47.5% from the field, including a superb 44.4% from the three-point line.
Expect Dillingham to be one of the dependable sixth men in the league in just his first season.
#1. Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
The Houston Rockets probably secured who is arguably the most talented player in the draft. As the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards went for potential in picking young Frenchmen Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr, respectively, the Rockets took the draft seriously, acquiring Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard.
Sheppard is the fourth consecutive lottery pick for Houston, after Amen Thompson (No. 4 in 2023), Jabari Smith (No. 3, 2022) and Jalen Green (No. 2, 2021). During his time with the Wildcats under coach John Calipari, the 6-foot-2 guard played 33 games (five starts), averaging 12.5 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.1 rpg and 2.5 spg.
He shot an amazing 53.6% from the field, including a mind-boggling 52.1% from the 3-point line. The second-generation player was also deadshot from the free-throw line with an 83.1% clip.
As a side note, Sheppard is tied for first place in maximum vertical leap during the NBA draft combine at 42 inches.
Which SEC player will shine in the NBA next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.