Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard becomes first collegiate player selected in 2024 NBA draft

The first overall collegiate player selected in the 2024 NBA draft Wednesday night comes from the SEC, as Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard went at pick No. 3 overall to the Houston Rockets.

Selected in front of Sheppard were two prospects from France in Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr at No.’s 1 and 2, respectively. Risacher went to the Atlanta Hawks, while Sarr was taken by the Washington Wizards.

Sheppard was one of the top overall freshmen in college basketball this past season, even despite starting only 5-of-33 games for the Wildcats. Over that season, Sheppard averaged 12.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 2.5 SPG while leading the SEC in multiple statistical categories.

Named the 2023-24 SEC Freshman of the Year, among other honors, the guard was also one of the top three-point shooters in college basketball at 52.1% from deep. Sheppard also shot 53.6% from the field, as well as 83.1% at the free throw line.

The former Kentucky guard was also joined by fellow Wildcat teammate Rob Dillingham as SEC players selected within the Top 10 picks, who went No. 8 overall to the San Antonio Spurs.