Two Kentucky players earn 'Top 10' ranking ahead of NBA Combine

With the NBA season in full-playoff mode, that means the NBA Draft is going to be here before you know it. And for numerous Kentucky players, it's time to begin training for team workouts and the NBA Combine.

Four Kentucky players earned an invite to the 2024 NBA Combine including Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards and Antonio Reeves.

But, new this year with the combine is a 'Top 10 Players' list that ranks players 1-10 based on where they are projected and likely to be drafted. This allows only certain teams acces to certain medical records, testing numbers and additional information.

Two Kentucky players received a top-10 grade -- Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham.

Both players were slotted in the 7-10 range.

While Dillingham came to Kentucky with the expectation of being a one-and-done and potential lottery pick, Reed Sheppard did not. The Kentucky native, however, was one of the best freshmen and players in the country last year.

On the season he averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He also shot 52.1 percent from three and hit 75 3s on the season.

Despite receiving a 7-10 range grade heading into the Combine, Sheppard has been as high as No. 2 overall in certain mock drafts since the season ended.

His ability to shoot the ball is what sets him apart, but it was his ability to play on the ball and be a legit playmaker off of the dribble this year that made scouts perk up.

As for Dillingham, he averaged 15.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He also was a fantastic shooter, connecting on 44.4 percent of his 3s. He finished with 64 3s on the year.

The craziest part about their success was neither were normal starters. Dillingham started just one game while Sheppard started just five.

Now both will continue the great lineage of terrific guard play from Kentucky to the NBA.

The NBA Combine starts next week on May 12.