Reed Sheppard Headlines Early 2023 Kentucky Mr. Basketball Candidates
The 2022-23 Kentucky High School basketball season has been incredible thus far. Some could argue that the commonwealth boasts the most hoops talent it’s had in years.
With all this talent comes the race for the Mr. Basketball crown.
Trivia question for all of the wonderful KSR readers: how many UK commits have won Mr. Basketball in Kentucky since 2000 and can you name them? There is a good chance that number will grow by one this season. The future Wildcat, Reed Sheppard, has been everything as advertised for the North Laurel Jaguars. Other stars vying for the top individual honor in the state are Evan Ipsaro, Jacob Meyer, Jerone Mortin, Gabe Sisk, and Teagen Moore.
CG Reed Sheppard | North Laurel –> Kentucky
The son of former Wildcat stars Jeff and Stacey Sheppard, it seemed that Reed was always destined to wear blue and white. As a result, the five-star guard committed to staying home for Kentucky. Reed is a consensus Top-50 player in the class of 2023 and has shown that with North Laurel this season. Through 10 games, the combo guard averages 23.6 ppg and 8.5 rebounds on 41% shooting from the three.
Sheppard is known for his lights-out shooting, but he’s developed all aspects of his game. After playing the high competition of AAU ball this summer, Reed has become a great passer and good defender. He put the nation on notice as the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, FL this past week.
When asked about Reed’s ability to take over a game, North Laurel head coach Nate Valentine said, “He’s super unselfish. His offensive ability speaks for itself, but the way he can make plays and create for others and put the pass on the money, there’s nobody out there better than him at that.”
Of course, this is music to the ears of John Calipari. Sheppard will be counted on as a knockdown shooter and help create alongside the talent he’s heading to Lexington with.
North Laurel has started the season at 6-3 and is ranked at number six in KSR’s Kentucky High School Basketball Top 25 Rankings. The Jags are 5-1 against teams from Kentucky, with a lone loss coming to Bowling Green by a point. Reed is already the all-time leading scorer in North Laurel history, but a state title would cement him as one of the best to come out of Kentucky. Big Blue Nation is eager to see Reed Sheppard in Kentucky blue.
CG Evan Ipsaro | Covington Catholic –> Miami (OH)
The Covington Catholic Colonels have started the season with eight straight wins. As a result, the Colonels are the second-ranked team in the state, according to KSR. A large part of this success has been Miami (OH) commit Evan Ipsaro. Through eight games, Ipsaro averages 26.8 ppg with five rebounds a game as well. The combo guard thrives with his midrange game as well as getting to the rim. At only 5-foot-10, he has incredible strength and body control in order to score at the rim.
What has held Ipsaro back this season has been shooting from behind the arc. He’s only shot 23% from three so far. However, he has excellent form and a great mid-range game so he will improve upon those numbers throughout this season. Ipsaro will look to light up the MAC over the next four years at Miami (OH). If his numbers improve from behind the arc and Covington Catholic continues the win streak, Ipsaro could steal the Mr. Basketball crown.
Ipsaro and Sheppard will go head-to-head on Jan. 21 when Covington Catholic hosts North Laurel.
CG Jacob Meyer | Holy Cross (Covington) – Undecided
Jacob Meyer came into this season as a sleeper for the Mr. Basketball crown. However, as December comes to a close, Meyer is currently the leading scorer in the entire state. His ridiculous 34.8 points per game have shot him up the Mr. Basketball boards. Meyer has led Holy Cross (Covington) to a 6-2 record to start the season. They will look to compete in the 9th Region this season in order to get Meyer to Rupp.
Meyer has received interest from many mid-majors, including Marshall. However, a stage like Sweet 16 could put more prominent programs on notice. Meyer is an electric three-level scorer with the ball in his hands.
G Jerone Morton | George Rogers Clark –> Morehead State
Jerone Martin is already a KHSAA state champion, and he’s not done. The GRC Cardinals are hungry to repeat as Region 10 champions. A large piece of this campaign is the leadership of Morton. The super-senior has returned with a vengeance, averaging 18.6 points per game on 52.5% shooting from the field. GRC started the year with six straight wins.
However, they enter Christmas on a two-game losing streak. The Cardinal faithful will hope Morton can return from break ready to lead the squad to another ‘chip. It would be hard for any voter not to look at a back-to-back champion and future Morehead State Eagle for the Mr. Basketball honors.
CG Gabe Sisk | Ballard – Undecided
The best player in Louisville has to be Gabe Sisk. The 6’6 combo guard has been a matchup nightmare for defenses. Sisk has led the Bruins to a 7-1 record thus far, including wins over DeSales and Collins. This season, he averages 17.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
Sisk is a true do-it-all guard — someone any coach would love to have on the roster. He’s incredible at getting to the rim and has worked on his 3-point jumper. If his shot continues to improve, Sisk could lead the Bruins to a 7th Region title.
Sisk is seen as the highest-ranked senior in Kentucky that hasn’t signed. Look for Coastal Carolina, EKU, Western, and Louisville to land his signature.
F Teagen Moore | Owen County –> Western Kentucky
The pride of Owen County is WKU commit Teagen Moore. If the season ended today, Moore would have my personal vote for Mr. Basketball.
He has been putting up video game numbers so far this season. Moore averages nearly 31 points and nine rebounds per game. At 6-foot-5, you’d expect Moore to be a post-up wing. However, he has great handles and quickly gets to the rim. Moore is also someone you should refrain from jumping with; he’s very athletic and excels with space. He’s shot an efficient 47.2% shot from the three, to boot.
While Owen County may be one of the smaller schools on this list, Moore has talent that matches the best in the state.
Others to Watch
- Dallas Roberts (North Oldham)
- Rylee Samons (Pikeville)
- Grant Whitaker (Murray)
- Jack Edelen (Male)
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