Two of the top players in the 2024 NBA Draft had a combined six starts for Kentucky last year. Despite their talent, it could be an argument that Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham were both underutilized.
Now, both are projected to go in the top-10 of the NBA Draft next month.
While the NBA Combine las week wasn't as helpful for Dillingham, it was another impressive showing for Reed Sheppard.
Sheppard has seen his name anywhere from No. 1 overall to No. 8 -- at the lowest. But. he's consistently around the 3-5 range. However, following the last week of workouts and the combine, 'several' NBA teams have graded Sheppard as their best available player, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony.
"Sheppard measured a little bigger than expected at 6-3 in shoes while testing a 42-inch vertical leap in Chicago. He also looked like the clear-cut best shooter in the draft every time he had a ball in his hands -- both at the combine and his pro day in Los Angeles this week," Givony wrote. "Several teams have said that Sheppard's statistical profile -- with his incredible scoring efficiency (56% FG%, 52% 3P%, 83% FT%) 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."
Sheppard's resume speaks for itself and his consistency over the last year has been evident. The one thing you can't teach is his knockdown shooting ability that is extremely lethal. Becuase of that, Givony doesn't see Sheppard falling outside of the top-5.
"With the premium that NBA teams are increasingly placing on perimeter shooting, it's hard to see Sheppard dropping below the top 5, with his fit in San Antonio alongside Victor Wembanyama looking especially strong at the Spurs' No. 4 pick."
The NBA Draft is set for June 26-27.