NBA Rumors: Reed Sheppard Ranked as No. 1 Prospect in Some Teams' 2024 'Draft Models'

Don't be shocked if Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard is off the board early at June's NBA draft.

In fact, he might even be atop the draft boards of certain teams, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo:

"Several teams have said that Sheppard's statistical profile—with his incredible scoring efficiency (56 percent field-goal percentage, 52 percent three-point percentage, 83 percent free-throw percentage) combined with his excellent steal, block and passing metrics—have him ranked as the No. 1 prospect in their draft models, something that surely has caught the attention of analytically inclined front offices, such as the Houston Rockets."

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman wouldn't be shocked if Sheppard was a top-10 pick. He projected the Charlotte Hornets to select him at No. 6 overall, noting that he "seems well-liked by executives, particularly after interviews in Chicago. The question is if teams in the top five see enough upside to consider him."

His 6'2" height may limit that upside, though Wasserman added that his "42-inch max vertical and 32.5-inch standing vertical were bigger, pleasant surprises that may have alleviated some concern over Sheppard's physical tools and perceived athleticism."

Much of Sheppard's draft stock may come down to whether teams believe he can run the point at a high level in the NBA. It's hard to imagine a team using a top-three pick, for instance, on a dramatically undersized wing.

Granted, Kentucky guards have a history of taking major leaps at the NBA level. Players like Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Maxey, Immanuel Quickley and Tyler Herro have all exceeded expectations coming out of college.

Sheppard, like many of them, wasn't given as prominent a role as might have been expected. He wasn't even a regular starter, appearing in 33 games but starting just five of them. He averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game, shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 52.1 percent from three.

That level of efficiency jumps off the page, no doubt. Sheppard will score at the next level. If he can become just as effective of a playmaker, he might end up being one of the top players in this draft class.