24 stories tracking Reed Sheppard’s journey from Kentucky basketball to the NBA

Reed Sheppard’s journey from freshman Kentucky basketball star to the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA draft is a testament to his talent and determination.

Sheppard was a standout player throughout his single season at Kentucky, consistently delivering impressive performances, such as his buzzer-beater to secure a win against Mississippi State. His remarkable skills and poise earned him accolades that included SEC Freshman of the Year and national freshman of the year honors, and attracted significant attention from NBA scouts.

Selected by the Houston Rockets as the third overall pick in the draft, Sheppard joins a promising roster as he brings his high basketball IQ, work ethic and shooting prowess to the professional stage.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

No. 1: Reed Sheppard just lived out every Kentucky kid’s dream. ‘It was really special for me.’

Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard talks about his big night at Mississippi State, where he scored 32 points and hit a game-winning shot for the Wildcats. | Published February 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

No. 2: ‘This is a generational moment.’ Reed Sheppard, Trent Noah put 13th Region back on map.

For the second straight season, Kentucky’s men’s basketball team will include a scholarship player from the 13th Region. | Published May 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

No. 3: Reed Sheppard is about to play his first NCAA Tournament game. How’s he feeling about it?

On the eve of Kentucky’s first NCAA Tournament game, Reed Sheppard talks about what it means to him to play in March Madness as a Wildcat. | Published March 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

No. 4: ‘He’s so smart’: Chris Jans talks about Reed Sheppard’s big night against Mississippi St.

Everything Chris Jans said after Mississippi State let a double-digit lead slip away in a loss to Kentucky. | Published February 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

No. 5: For at least one night, Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard will be back on the court in Rupp Arena

Reed Sheppard will return to Rupp Arena next week to host a basketball camp that includes a Q&A session with the Kentucky star and an autographed jersey. | Published April 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

No. 6: Reed Sheppard reflects on his decision to leave Kentucky. ‘It’s not what I was expecting.’

Former Kentucky basketball player Reed Sheppard talks to the Herald-Leader about his decision to leave UK and what’s next with the NBA draft. | Published May 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

No. 7: Reed Sheppard is one of college basketball’s best players. An analytics expert explains.

Reed Sheppard has quickly become a Kentucky basketball sensation. The numbers say he’s one of the best players in the country. Here’s why. | Published January 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

No. 8: Former UK basketball star Reed Sheppard attends his first Kentucky Derby, makes his pick

Fresh off a star freshman season at Kentucky, Reed Sheppard made an appearance at the Kentucky Derby. | Published May 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

No. 9: Kentucky basketball’s Reed Sheppard can’t really be for real? Can he?

Even Hollywood might reject the story that Kentucky basketball freshman Reed Sheppard is writing in his home state. | Published February 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by John Clay

No. 10: Reed Sheppard’s buzzer-beater leads Kentucky basketball past Mississippi State

Reed Sheppard hit a buzzer-beater for Kentucky in a comeback victory over Mississippi State on Tuesday night. | Published February 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

No. 11: What is Reed Sheppard’s future with Kentucky basketball? New UK coach Mark Pope weighs in.

New Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope discussed Reed Sheppard’s stay-or-go decision on his first UK radio show Monday night. | Published April 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

No. 12: Reed Sheppard will enter the NBA draft. His Kentucky career is over.

Reed Sheppard is projected as a top-10 pick in this year’s NBA draft, a status that would come with guaranteed millions next season. | Published April 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

No. 13: The NBA draft is near. Where will Reed Sheppard and other UK basketball players be going?

The latest NBA draft projections on Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards and Antonio Reeves, plus some other UK-related notes. | Published June 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

No. 14: One of Kentucky’s best ever? Reed Sheppard is ready for next step in basketball journey

Reed Sheppard’s unexpected ascent to basketball stardom has taken him from celebrated high school star to one of the top players available in the upcoming NBA draft. | Published June 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

No. 15: What NBA draft analysts are saying about former UK basketball star Reed Sheppard

A look at what NBA draft experts have been saying about former Kentucky basketball star Reed Sheppard in the lead-up to the 2024 draft. | Published June 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ben Roberts

No. 16: Ex-UK player Reed Sheppard, Chipotle team up for new menu item ahead of NBA draft

See what goes into a Reed Sheppard Bowl. | Published June 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

No. 17: 2024 NBA draft first-round wrap-up: New homes for Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham

It was the seventh time two University of Kentucky players have been top-10 picks in an NBA draft. | Published June 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

No. 18: Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard chosen 3rd overall by the Houston Rockets in 2024 NBA draft

The Kentucky Mr. Basketball winner from North Laurel was the first Wildcat off the board. | Published June 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Dennis Varney

No. 19: Reed Sheppard is now an NBA draft first-round pick. He joins these other Kentucky natives.

Reed Sheppard is the latest Kentucky native to become an NBA draft first-round pick. | Published June 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

No. 20: John Calipari was at 2024 NBA draft to support Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard in first round

Kentucky’s former basketball coach was shown with Reed Sheppard and his family prior to the NBA draft in Brooklyn. | Published June 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

No. 21: 2024 NBA draft: Analysts grade the Houston Rockets’ addition of Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard

The former Kentucky basketball star was the third overall pick in the draft. | Published June 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Dennis Varney

No. 22: Everything Reed Sheppard said after the former Kentucky star was taken in 2024 NBA draft

Reed Sheppard was taken third overall in the 2024 NBA draft. | Published June 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Cameron Drummond

No. 23: UK’s Reed Sheppard arrives in Houston. What’s his role with Rockets? Start with ‘sniper.’

Head coach Ime Udoka talked about how Kentucky rookie’s shooting range will create space for other young stars to operate. | Published July 3, 2024 | Read Full Story

No. 24: ‘You can’t be soft.’ How Sheppard family instilled NBA-level toughness in former UK star.

Reed Sheppard spoke repeatedly upon his NBA arrival in Houston about parents’ point of emphasis. | Published July 4, 2024 | Read Full Story

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.