“Everyone loved each other”: Former Kentucky star Reed Sheppard reflects on “really good” collegiate journey
Kentucky alum Reed Sheppard was selected as the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. He played one season for the Kentucky Wildcats, averaging 12.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game before declaring for the draft in April.
On Thursday, the 6-foot-3 combo guard appeared on the "Kentucky Sports Radio's Sources Say" podcast, where he shared some insights into his remarkable journey through college basketball and his excitement to begin his NBA career. When host Jack Pilgrim asked the player when he first realized that his life was about to change, Sheppard replied:
"No, I never thought about it. After college until after the season, through the whole season, I was just worried on being the best player that I could be and the best teammate that I could be in and just have as much fun as I could playing at the University of Kentucky.
"And, and you know, after the season, me and my parents sat down and we talked a little bit. But you know that this year was so much fun and we had a great team and everyone loved each other and it was just a really good group to be a part of."
On the talk show, Reed Sheppard also shared his experience of making an unofficial pro debut at the Summer League:
"It was a lot of fun being back playing basketball and competing was so much fun and doing it at the Summer League in the NBA so it was a lot of fun and I'm just I can't wait for the season to get started."
Reed Sheppard insists on supporting John Calipari but will always bleed Kentucky blue
Reed Sheppard, a London, Kentucky native, thrived as a player during a season under John Calipari at UK. Calipari left Kentucky in April, but he is and will always be Sheppard's college coach.
"I don’t think it’s weird at all. Coach Cal is my coach. I still talk to him multiple times a week," Sheppard told KSR this week. "He'll text and call me and we’ll cut up here and there.
"It’s been good seeing him and I’m looking forward to watching them this year, watching him coach. But at the end of the day, I’m a Kentucky fan. I’m from Kentucky, I played at Kentucky. I’ll continue to cheer for Kentucky, no matter what."
With his star player Reed Sheppard, Calipari led Kentucky to a 13-5 record, finishing second in the SEC standings last season. Sheppard was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and was selected for the Second-team All-SEC.