Kentucky fans chant 'one more year' at Reed Sheppard as NBA decision looms

Kentucky fans are hungry for another year of Reed Sheppard. During Sheppard’s Pro Camp at Rupp Arena, fans showered the standout freshman with “one more year” chants. Yet to officially declare for the 2024 NBA Draft, Sheppard simply smiled.

Sheppard dropped jaws in his debut campaign. He played in all 33 of Kentucky’s games and made five starts. The Kentucky native averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 53.6% from the floor, a nation-best 52.1% from 3-point range and 83.1% from the free-throw line.

For his efforts, Sheppard was named the SEC Freshman of the Year by the league’s coaches, the National Association of Basketball Coaches National Freshman of the Year, All-SEC Second Team member and Dick Vitale’s “Diaper Dandy” of the Year.

If Sheppard decides to return next season, he won’t play under John Calipari. Only weeks after Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart confirmed Calipari would be UK’s head coach in the 2024-25 season, the 65-year-old coach left to take over at Arkansas.

Kentucky is yet to hire a new head coach, and last year’s roster is gradually deteriorating. Adou Thiero, Aaron Bradshaw and Joey Hart all entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. Justin Edwards and Rob Dillingham declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. To make matters worse, standout 2024 commits such as Jayden Quaintance and Karter Knox re-opened their recruitment.

Motivation for Reed Sheppard’s return

Sheppard would not be returning to the same Kentucky team he left. However, Kentucky fans still hold out hope. Obviously, it’s a big ask. In ESPN’s Jonathan Givony’s latest NBA mock draft, he listed Sheppard as the No. 7 available prospect in the draft class.

Even with record NIL numbers, Sheppard would likely receive more money with an NBA contract. On the other hand, the 6-foot-3 guard has unfinished business.

In Kentucky’s season-ending upset loss to No. 15 seed Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Sheppard scored a mere three points while shooting 1-5 from the field. It was Sheppard’s lowest offensive output while playing 30 or more minutes in the 2023-24 season.

Sheppard won’t have long to make his decision. The 2024 NBA Draft is scheduled to begin on June 26. Players must declare for the draft 60 days before it takes place to be eligible. When Sheppard was asked after Kentucky’s loss to Oakland about his future, he had little to say.

“I have not thought about that at all,” Sheppard said quickly. “Right now, I’m focused on this game and this season. I have no idea.”