Reed Sheppard Scouting Report: Pro Comps and Predictions for 2024 NBA Draft Prospect

Reed Sheppard Full Scouting Report

School: Kentucky

Nationality: USA

Age: 19

Position: Combo guard

Size: 6'3", 187 lbs

The season started with a number of Kentucky freshmen high on NBA scouts' watch lists and big boards. Reed Sheppard wasn't one of them.

However, he's now considered by some as the team's best prospect and a potential top-five pick after putting together one of the most efficient seasons in recent memory with skills that the NBA values.

There is still some debate about what type of player Sheppard projects as in the NBA. Nothing about his physical traits suggest he's going to develop into an NBA star, but it's become difficult to argue or bet against his almost unprecedented effectiveness making plays at both ends of the floor.

Regardless of what teams think about his ceiling or comparisons, every scout agrees that Sheppard will be a fit for any roster. That fact alone should lead to some degree of interest from all 30 front offices.

Projected role: Connector or combo guard

Comparisons: Donte DiVincenzo, Kirk Hinrich

NBA scouts see two potential roles for Sheppard, depending on how much of his off-the-dribble creativity can translate.

At worst, he's a connector who's valued for spot-up shooting and passing. In this role, he'd play more time off the ball at the 2, stretching the floor with his deep range. On the ball, he'd focus more on facilitating in ball screens and making quick, smart decisions rather than self-creating for scoring.

In that scenario, he projects more as a Donte DiVincenzo-like offensive energizer.

At best, he demonstrates enough burst and shiftiness to blow by or separate, turning into more of a lead guard. Sheppard isn't an explosive athlete, but he can surprise defenders with a quick first move or decent elevation on pull-up jumpers. Offense can run through his high skill level as a playmaker and shotmaker, along with his basketball IQ.

Some scouts have compared him to Kirk Hinrich if he shows he can thrive as a team's primary ball-handler.

Draft ceiling: Top five

Draft floor: Late lottery

Sheppard maintaining his outrageous efficiency throughout the season has led to more belief from scouts. The extra, more recent flashes of on-ball offense and creation have raised his projected ceiling, with scouts now thinking that a team would consider him in the top five of a perceived weak draft class.

There is a level of certainty tied to his elite shooting, high-IQ passing and special defensive instincts that holds extra weight during a year when there aren't obvious stars. That could make him more attractive at the top of this particular draft to teams that are unwilling to take risks on bigger projects who may have more upside.

Sheppard's high floor should keep him from falling too far. It's difficult to envision any situation where he drops out of the lottery, just based on the idea that he's a sure thing among dozens of question marks.

NBA teams have been eager to learn Sheppard's exact measurements. Scouts want confirmation on his 6'3", 187-pound listing, which sounds adequate if matched up against point guards.

Those numbers become more worrisome when picturing him facing NBA 2-guards or wings, particularly given his presumed lack of length.

Athletically, Sheppard isn't explosive, but he's quick and agile. He can seemingly glide with the ball like he's on skates. Despite racking up only five dunks through the regular season, Sheppard has shown he can elevate above the rim and create easy finishing angles.

His defensive tools are far from ideal, but he does make up for them with ultra-fast hands, plus the sharp instincts that control them.

Elite shot-making

Though Sheppard's three-point volume is lower than some of the top prospects, the percentages say he's the draft's most efficient shooter. Deep range, rhythm and a quick release make him lethal when spotting up.

Sheppard has been nearly just as effective when pulling up. He gets excellent balance and elevation to create separation from his defender.

Even if his lack of explosiveness makes it difficult for Sheppard to earn easy baskets at the rim and trips to the free-throw line, his special shotmaking skill should make him a consistent threat to score off the ball or in ball-screen situations.

Passing IQ

Sheppard's passing and decision-making may persuade teams to use him at point guard. He doesn't manipulate off the dribble like Chris Paul or Trae Young, but reads the game and sees the floor extremely well.

Without any personal agenda or predetermining of shots, Sheppard can be capable of facilitating offense and running sets.

Defensive instincts

Despite standing 6'3" and lacking standout athletic traits, Sheppard blocked more than 20 shots as a freshman, which is a reflection of his unteachable anticipation. His steal rate is off the charts as well.

Defensive playmaking doesn't automatically equate to lockdown defense, and there are times when Sheppard wasn't in the right position off the ball. But his ability to make reads and quick reactions should continue to work well when applying pressure on opposing ball-handlers. His IQ should bode well for his potential to keep building team-defense awareness.

Creation upside

While Sheppard has shown he can beat defenders in straight lines or separate into pull-ups, he still doesn't possess advanced moves for creation with his handle or footwork. His lack of explosiveness can also make it difficult for him to put pressure on the rim.

Regardless of how efficient he was, Sheppard wouldn't be Kentucky's answer if it needed a basket late in the clock.

Off-ball variety

Sheppard is an excellent stationary catch-and-shoot threat, but he didn't give scouts any tape on his ability to drill jumpers off screens/movement. He also didn't record one field goal cutting to the rim all season.

If he winds up going to a team that has a ball-dominant point guard, he could be limited throughout games and possibility reduced to just spot-up opportunities.

Defensive tools

Although Sheppard has outstanding instincts, most starting NBA 2-guards will have a physical advantage over him.

Ideally, he'll go to a team that already has a big ball-handler who could draw opposing 2-guards on defense or one that's willing to use him at point guard.