Opportunity to stay home was too much for Reed Sheppard to pass up

Almost every little boy growing up in Kentucky dreams of one day suiting up to play in the blue and white. While that romanticization might not include visions of rocking the ever-controversial checkerboard pattern, it does include playing in front of 20,000-plus fans of the Big Blue Nation. It includes hitting big shots and being a representative of your state.

For Reed Sheppard, a 17-year old boy who grew up in southern Kentucky surrounded by the Wildcat faithful, the question as to whether he should fulfill that dream was never truly in doubt.

“It’s a dream,” Sheppard said, roughly 30 minutes after committing to play college basketball for the ‘Cats on Saturday. “A lot of kids look at the University of Kentucky and they’re like man I want this opportunity. And not a lot of people get that opportunity. And having that opportunity, it meant a lot to me. It was just something that was just extremely hard to pass up.”

What also made the decision hard to pass up is the fact that Sheppard is one of the best high school juniors in the country. He didn’t get offered based on his last name or the fact that he’s a Kentucky boy. Sheppard got offered because he’s a five-star caliber talent and one of the 25 best recruits in his class. He ultimately wants to go to the NBA and Kentucky has a significant track record of developing future pros.

“I just felt like Kentucky was the best fit for me and it was where I felt like I was at home,” Sheppard added.

The legacy that Sheppard carries makes this dream come true even more special. His father Jeff is a two-time national champion during his Kentucky playing days. His mother Stacey is one of Kentucky Women’s Basketball’s all-time greats. Over 20 years later, Reed will have the chance to carry on the family namesake.

“He’s been preparing for this moment since he was a little boy,” Reed’s older sister Madison said after his commitment. “I can remember from the time he was born he’s always had a ball in his hand. He’s loved the game ever since.”

It’ll be at least a year-and-a-half before Sheppard makes it to Lexington officially, so there is still time left for even more preparation. It’ll be needed, too. As great as Sheppard is right now, there will be an unfamiliar territory that comes with playing for Kentucky. The Big Blue Nation expects greatness, even from one of its own, because when the Bluegrass natives do well, it makes the success taste that much sweeter.

“We as Kentucky fans are unrealistic,” Jeff Sheppard said on Saturday.
“It’s what makes it so special. We want the perfect season with Kentucky players in this euphoric world that doesn’t exist. And that’s okay, that’s what the dream is about. And that’s what makes Kentucky so special…

“I think the fans will be excited to continue to watch him, to continue to follow him. But at the end of the day, he’s gotta produce. The love will be short-lived if he doesn’t play well and produce. All of that is on down the road.”

The younger Sheppard will have plenty of teachers to help guide him through this journey. Not even counting his parents, former Kentucky greats such as John Pelphrey, Rex Chapman, and Richie Farmer have provided themselves as resources to Reed, and will continue to do as such moving forward. His first cousin, Maci Morris, is also an all-time great in the Kentucky Women’s Basketball program and knows first-hand what it takes to be a Wildcat in this generation.

“He has a lot of expectations with his dad and his mom both being great players at Kentucky,” Morris said. “I think he’s going to fill his own shoes and make his own path and do something really special.”

Add in the new name, image, and likeness (NIL) factor and the decision to choose UK began to make itself for the legacy recruit. Where else would Reed Sheppard receive the level of star treatment he will at Kentucky?