Reed Sheppard and Kentucky, a love story. 'The whole state is connected to him'
The son of two former Wildcats stars, Sheppard is already creating his own legacy as a freshman. "He was literally born to do this."theathletic.com
“Reed Sheppard Has Won UK Fans’ Heart”
- Thread starter Random UK Fan
- Start date
I think he won our hearts the day he commited.
It really a special story to this point. Kentucky boy playing for the big blue, living his dream. And winning the big game the way he did at Miss St. The only thing that could top the story so far would be if he could lead the team to an SEC tournament title, to a Final Four, and maybe even win a title. If this team could do any of that, Sheppard would be one of the greatest UK basketball heroes of our lifetime.
1 more year !
1 more year !
1 more year !
1 more year !
1 more year !
For many. But there was a surprising number of people who thought he really wasnt ever going to play here or was overrated..
Noone could've predicted this. Good for him and glad he's played so incredibly well
Would be cool if 20,000 people standing and chanting "1 more year" at senior night against Vandy.
I was concerned it would be a Dontae Allen situation when he signed
more than good enough to wear the UK uniform but would never get developed due to Cal's preference of playing his promised starters
Fortunately his talent couldn't be ignored, even with Cal investment on certain players that share(d) unearned minutes with Sheppard
You can argue that Allen shouldn't be in that comparison, but at the same time, there were questions as to whether Allen should have been given more playing time on the team - and in part it was because he was a Kentucky fan favorite and in part because it seems Cal was intent on giving players who were not contributing the lion share of time on the court.
Honestly I'm still put off with Cal's "everyone favorite player" comment at the start of the season.
more than good enough to wear the UK uniform but would never get developed due to Cal's preference of playing his promised starters
Fortunately his talent couldn't be ignored, even with Cal investment on certain players that share(d) unearned minutes with Sheppard
You can argue that Allen shouldn't be in that comparison, but at the same time, there were questions as to whether Allen should have been given more playing time on the team - and in part it was because he was a Kentucky fan favorite and in part because it seems Cal was intent on giving players who were not contributing the lion share of time on the court.
Honestly I'm still put off with Cal's "everyone favorite player" comment at the start of the season.
As long as Coach Kneeling is here, do we really trust anything he will do with any of our players?
If he shares his political beliefs and we hate them can we all act like we hated him all along? Then demonize him😈
You would have went along with it just like he did and Stoops did unless you wanted to resign and get out of coaching.
Coaches were stuck between a rock and a hard place(players/media) on the kneeling issue.
Can you name a coach that actually blocked his players from kneeling ?
It's just one of those things you have to go along with if it's the will of the players.
For example if Trump wins the White House, I can guarantee you that if UK wins the championship there will be no White House visit.
He's won mine! Great kid, the anti-Rex Chapman! Happy for him, but sad he will be at UK for a year!
I understand the sentiment but I think Cal would really be in a rock and hard place given the state is going to vote Republican overwhelmingly. I think Cal learned an important lesson from kneeling, and will anticipate the reactions much better this time.
I would bet money they'd go
Eh Allen played 14 minutes a game his Freshman year at UK. He just wasn't good enough for this level. There's a reason he isn't s star at WKU and mostly comes off the bench there. Only similarity between Sheppard and Allen is that they are both from Kentucky.
Sheppard showed out in high school in the big all star type games and was a McDonald's All American. Allen never had that hype or expectations IMO.
Allen wasn't surrounded with exceptional talent either. I'm not committed to the belief that Allen should have been given more playing time, but I am committed to the idea he should have been given the chance - and by chance I mean go 2 - 3 games with significant minutes and shoot poorly just like the kids ahead of him.
I figured the comparison would go over some people's head
let me be clear - no one is comparing talent of Allen to Sheppard
what I said was that when Sheppard came in I had similar concerns that a Kentucky kid would not be given a fair shot at playing time, similar to the belief that many had with Allen.
and I think the post was very spot on in stating that
Even now, there is a wealth of people outside of Kentucky wondering why Calipari will not start him
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Sheppard credits Cal with his development. Sheppard says Cal is the best coach in the country.
He’s right on both counts.
He’s right on both counts.
Mom and dad did all the work. Cal just rolled the ball out.
I'd take that bet all day long.
Kentucky will be a Trump landslide but Cal doesn't care.
Cal has always insulated himself and his team from the outside.
IMO, you're not going to take any team thats probably 75% African American to a Trump led White House in the year 2025.
Cal would take a team vote and it would be voted down and that would be it.
He would announce that the team has elected not to attend and there's really no one who would challenge him.
Mitch and Eli would be too scared of the media to challenge him.
We already know he doesn't give a rats ass if the fans are pissed off because he knows as soon as Oct 15 rolls around all those Trumpers will be camped out for BBM tickets.
This. Anytime someone from KY commits here it's love at first sight.
Reed actually has exceeded the hype and potential for his first year here. Hoping enough people NIL it up to get him back next season
3 days after
there’s now additional context that could help explain why Calipari may have stressed the age of his players, called them “kids,” and said it “probably [was] not a real good time to do it.”
Cal isn't as insulated as you think after that event
I respect that but you don't coach for a living.
It's the politics of coaching.
Stoops was the same as Cal.
Pro coaches/owners couldn't stop it.
The team kneeling in Gainesville got no national media coverage which is how Cal wanted it
Agree. Reed was already incredible before he came to Kentucky. I know because I saw him play several times. As I've said before, my cousin coached and wanted to see him play in person so I would travel to games with him. Reed was a joy to watch in high school. So mom and dad did most of the work (and Reed did, too!🤣🥰). I'm not saying Cal didn't, but I was afraid he wouldn't get a fair shake from Cal because he was a Kentucky boy and fan favorite. Im glad to see that didn't happen. Now whether or not he should/shouldn't start is another debate. I'm just sorry he probably won't be here next year, even though selfishly, I wish he would stay.
GO BIG BLUE!!!💙💙💙
I think he comes back barring a coaching change or sandal or something. It’s naive of me I know. But I don’t think the shepherds are interested in one and done for Reed
I don’t know that he necessarily blocked them from kneeling but Buzz Williams while at Virginia Tech in 2016 taught his players why they WILL STAND and honor veterans while the national anthem is played. It’s on you tube and a pretty good 4:30 video. Much respect to Buzz!!!!!
Sheppard is UK royalty. He’s a legacy. That means more than just being from Kentucky.
No doubt it's the right thing to do but we all know that Cal would be treated differently.
Buzz doesn't get the attention of the national media.
If Cal had a video like that out then the Stephen A's of the sports media would all give their take on it and we know they take the side of BLM.
Buzz has always had different kids in his programs also.
I don't think he would be successful with the kids that come to UK.
The giving players books to read and stuff like that might work for kids who are grateful to be playing P5 basketball but UK's kids could go anywhere and I don't think they would buy in to Buzz.
You asked if anyone could name a coach so I did. It wasn’t how cal would be treated if he did. Cal’s a big lefty anyway zero chance he would ever do anything like that.
