Kentucky 2024 NBA Draft Projections: Predicting landing spots for Wildcats in the NBA
The 2024 NBA draft is less than a week away as it is officially set to begin on Wednesday. This year's draft will take place across two separate days as the second round will be held the following evening.
The Kentucky Wildcats have consistently produced top-level talent as they have more players in the league than any other program. The 2024 NBA draft figures are no different, with four players projected to be selected, two of whom should land in the lottery portion of the draft.
Take a look at where Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards and Antonio Reeves could wind up next week.
Kentucky Wildcats 2024 NBA draft projections
#1. Reed Sheppard
Projection: Round 1, fourth overall, San Antonio Spurs
Reed Sheppard had a strong freshman season with the Kentucky Wildcats as he averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.7 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game while shooting 53.6% from the field, 52.1% from three-point range and 83.1% from the free-throw line. While the San Antonio Spurs have their foundational piece in Victor Wembanyama, they have plenty of work to do around him.
The Spurs ranked just 16th in three-pointers made and 28th in three-point percentage. They will need to surround the 2024 Rookie of the Year with better floor spacers to open things up for him even more. Sheppard seems like a perfect fit to kick-start San Antonio's roster-building process.
#2. Rob Dillingham
Projection: Round 1, eighth overall, San Antonio Spurs
Rob Dillingham also had a strong freshman season as he averaged 15.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.0 spg and 0.1 bpg in just 23.3 mpg while shooting 47.5% from the field, 44.4% from three-point range and 79.6% from the free-throw line. It would not be a surprise to see the San Antonio Spurs double-dip with Wildcats guards to help fix their backcourt problem.
Similar to his college teammate, Dillingham has shown an ability to play on and off the ball. He has also openly campaigned to play alongside Victor Wembanyama. Adding both Kentucky guards in the first eight picks would instantly provide the Spurs with a roster that is much better suited to space the floor.
#3. Justin Edwards
Projection: Round 2, 36th overall, Indiana Pacers
Justin Edwards averaged 8.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.9 spg and 0.2 bpg in just 21.5 mpg while shooting 48.6% from the field, 36.5% from three-point range and 77.6% from the free-throw line. While he had an up-and-down freshman season, Edwards joined the Kentucky Wildcats as a five-star prospect and has the size and tools to become a valuable second-round pick.
While the Indiana Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals, they appeared to be well ahead of schedule as they allowed the fourth-most points per game last season. Edwards could help on the defensive end immediately while eventually developing into a solid piece alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.
#4. Antonio Reeves
Projection: Round 2, 53rd overall, Detroit Pistons
Antonio Reeves is coming off the best season of his five-year collegiate career. He averaged 20.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.7 spg and 0.2 bpg in 31.5 mpg while shooting 51.2% from the field, 44.7% from the three-point range and 86.3% from the free-throw line.
Reeves finished his career, which began with the Illinois State Redbirds, averaging 15.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.6 spg and 0.2 bpg in 31.4 mpg while shooting 45.2% from the field, 38.4% from three-point range and 80.1% from the free-throw line.
While the Detroit Pistons remain in rebuild mode after finishing with the worst record in the league last season, they could target a veteran scorer to help an offense that scored the fourth-fewest points.