I would love to see Reed back but I just don't see it. I looked up what Jeff made playing basketball, it looks like he made $672,500 over his professional career. That's good money, but that amount 24 years ago is not enough to set you up for life.
He became a pharmaceutical sales rep after basketball for a bit and then opened an apparel store. He may have done more more than that but that's about all I was able to pull from a quick google search. I couldn't find much on what Stacey has done from an employment standpoint beyond helping with the apparel store.
My point on all of that, the Sheppard family is probably "doing ok" financially, but I doubt they are in a position to where Reed could say no to a multi-million dollar contract. I'm sure he'd love to come back but you have to do what is best for you and your future.
With where he is projected in the draft, I don't see any way Reed is back next season.
I've stated this several times on here, but fine, I'll do it once more.
First of all, I will not be shocked if Reed goes pro. But I will be shocked if he doesn't at least "test the waters".
To me it's close to a 50/50 on him leaving or staying. First there are non-financial factors that may contribute to his decision:
- is he maturity & emotionally ready to become a responsible adult living on his own in a very different environment than he ever has before (likely some major city, full of distractions)
- is he ready to prematurely end his "college experience"
- how important is his education to him (few players return for their degree, especially if not close to having it)
- how important is it for him to continue his childhood dream of playing for UK, and maybe even winning a championship for UK
- he is probably not strong enough or quick enough to be an immediate factor in the NBA playing vs grown-ass men and create his own shot vs those Men. And this could lead to the following Financial factor:
-- his goal is probably not to just make it to the NBA and get "a contract", but rather to be successful in the NBA and make even more than life-changing money, but make generational-changing money. And if he goes before he is physically ready, then in 3 years when it's time for that 2nd contract (which can be many times more than the 1st) he might not be able to maximize it compared to if he stayed 1 more year to get stronger and quicker and more able to create his own shot.
- and I agree with you that his family is not wealthy, but they are probably upper middle-class. So the weight is not on Reed's shoulders (same for DJ) to help his family out of generational poverty, like it is with many players.
- and lastly, NIL will not fully offset what he or anyone else can make in the NBA. But it could make it less of a factor. I mean $1M is a lot of money to a 20 yr old (really to almost anyone), even if it's not $8M.
- ok, 1 more. people also often say "but what if he gets hurt". Well 1), there are insurance policies for that. And 2), you can count on one hand over the past 20-30 years how many players have been hurt in college to the point that it significantly affected them being drafted or making it to the NBA.
