Reed Sheppard
- Thread starter Smashcat
- Start date
We need Cal to go and tell this kid we want him. Just like he did Wagner. It would go along way to Reed and the Shepard’s. Along with pleasing the peasants. IMO
Love for UK to get this kid just because he is from Kentucky and is a great player. And all that I have read on him he is a great kid.
"Take this scholarship before I act like a little bitch and threaten to take it away if the players fail to make the tournament. Sign right here, Reed..."
Cal may have already done that. Hard for me to imagine the UK staff hasn't talked to his family about making Sheppard and Wagner their most wanted guards in the class of 2023.
I'd be truly shocked if he isn't.
He’s coming to Kentucky. Common sense.
5-Star recruits from Kentucky are as rare as hens teeth. When one comes along that checks all the boxes UK has got to get him, and there's no doubt in my mind what so ever that Reed Sheppard will be a UK Wildcat.
I hope someone let the Sheppard's listen to Mack and the Gino recording on the bribery case. Shows how much of a slime Mack is.
Terrific young man. Would add a lot of positives across the board for UK including being a good role model for youngsters in Ky.
I'm assuming when they offered him a scholarship, they told him that.
Sheppard’s father, Jeff Sheppard, told the Herald-Leader on Monday afternoon that Louisville was in to see his son last week, adding that coaches from Kentucky, Ohio State and Virginia are working on dates to visit with him in person in the near future. He also said the family was planning on visiting all four of those schools soon. His only campus visit so far since the end of the July evaluation periods was a trip to Indiana last month
Read more here: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/col...ecruiting/article254212488.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/col...ecruiting/article254212488.html#storylink=cpy
I have a bad feeling about Sheppard. Thinking maybe he wants to set his own path, and not live in his dad's shadow at UK, and all of the (unrealistic) expectations. Think "is Richie going to play tonight" times 2.
If he comes here it's going to be insane...and honestly, maybe not even that enjoyable for him. He is the biggest legacy recruit in the history of our program, a 5 star recruit and a white kid from rural Kentucky. Add all of that together and he's Richie and Rex combined into one player.
Not being quite good enough. I was worried about that a year ago but he's really improved his game and showed it over the summer. I expect him to continue to improve...and hope he grows a couple more inches.
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I think this is free.
Any questions regarding Sheppard’s ability to play at UK were answered this summer.
Asked how he might fit in the Wildcats’ program, Jenkins said UK fans might want to watch how Calipari uses his off-ball guards, namely incoming transfers Kellan Grady and CJ Fredrick, this season.
“If he develops at the rate that everybody thinks he will, he can kind of be a cross between both of them,” he said. “He is smart enough to play on ball. His foot speed isn’t the usual type of foot speed that most on-ball guards at Kentucky have. But he’s savvy enough to make up for it. And then focusing on his ability to shoot the basketball and how that translates within his offense. I think he would be able to play that cross-between role.”
Read more here: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/col...ecruiting/article254212488.html#storylink=cpy
Any questions regarding Sheppard’s ability to play at UK were answered this summer.
Asked how he might fit in the Wildcats’ program, Jenkins said UK fans might want to watch how Calipari uses his off-ball guards, namely incoming transfers Kellan Grady and CJ Fredrick, this season.
“If he develops at the rate that everybody thinks he will, he can kind of be a cross between both of them,” he said. “He is smart enough to play on ball. His foot speed isn’t the usual type of foot speed that most on-ball guards at Kentucky have. But he’s savvy enough to make up for it. And then focusing on his ability to shoot the basketball and how that translates within his offense. I think he would be able to play that cross-between role.”
Read more here: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/col...ecruiting/article254212488.html#storylink=cpy
I had a feeling someone would comment on that part. To think that him being white from rural Kentucky doesn't play a role in his popularity with a significant portion of this fanbase is naïve imo. There is a reason why, over the past 40 years, Rex Chapman, Richie Farmer, and now Reed Sheppard have potentially been the 3 most popular recruits from the state of Kentucky. It doesn't mean people are racist and it doesn't mean people prefer white players over black players. It means that for a lot of white, rural people in this state (which there are a lot of), seeing "one of them" succeed to the level of being able to play at Kentucky, is rare and special. I don't think it's bad or wrong to admit that. It's just the truth.
I see him as a combo guard. And pace can be used as important as foot speed. SGA wasn't blowing by anyone, but he was smart enough to get past defenders. I would add maybe Murray (to the Grady) comp for him.
It's rare for anyone from Kentucky, (black, white or whatever) to succeed to the level of getting an opportunity to play at Kentucky.
I realize there is a portion of any fanbase that prefer a certain color of player, I just disagree that there is a significant portion of our fanbase that have a preference for a white player, I don't think the vast majority care.
When I read things like your post it comes across to me like it's perpetuating the false narrative of Ky. being a racist school.
I like your combo’d remark, Reed Shephard is a hybrid of Richie and Rex. This kid could walk in at UK making thousands of NIL money just from UK Fans alone.
Coach Rupp and Joe B would have had him all wrapped up before any other school had a chance to be the first to offer him. Cal’s approach was after the fact, almost like he had to do it is very obvious. I think the Sheppards see the sincerity level. I believe he will go where he is truly wanted. I believe he will go to Virginia. I hope I am wrong
Wrong. They're fan favorites because they were local, grew up UK fans, worked hard on the court, represented the University well, AND happen to be very good if not great players. When they fall outside of that narrative, then they aren't so popular or wonderful anymore... ala Chapman...
This is not a color issue.
Go CATS!
I mean what else would Cal recruiting him and offering him a scholarship mean? Throw in coming to watch him play all the time I’m not sure what else you think they are portraying to him.
Not so fast, my friend.
Reed is only a Junior and a lot can happen before he makes his decision. Jeff and Stacey know this and will see how everything plays out.
The truth according to who? Spare me
Just stop. You know what he meant and he’s 100% right. There’s no need to be a political activist in an anonymous sports forum. Nobody is getting cancelled here.
I know for a fact. Write it in blood. Your blood. Shave your face and get some or somethin.
Great observation. Speed and quickness are good things but on the offensive side of the ball you dont have to always use those attributes to make things work. In fact I'd contend that the problem with a lot of players who are athletically gifted is the try to play fast all the time and end up playing out of control or in traffic taking bad shots and making bad decisions a lot. You just cant play offense hyper.
SGA had a way of walking his way to where he wanted to go by moving his defender with subtle side to side, back and forth moves and step throughs. Kind of like Harden and many others do in the NBA. They just yo yo yo their defender until they get them off step and then get to where they want to go.
Yes. I. Do. Take it to your bank. I don’t know what you’ll do with it but take it there and tell em.
There’s nothing wrong for wanting to see players who are similar to ones makeup/ background succeed
Jack Givens said he pulled for Texas Western because he saw players who looked like him. Understandable .. nothing wrong with it.
Reed would be an inspiration and great role model for many young Kentuckians. Not to mention he’s an outstanding student athlete.
Would absolutely love to see him bring the instate pride to UK basketball.
Jack Givens said he pulled for Texas Western because he saw players who looked like him. Understandable .. nothing wrong with it.
Reed would be an inspiration and great role model for many young Kentuckians. Not to mention he’s an outstanding student athlete.
Would absolutely love to see him bring the instate pride to UK basketball.
