NBA Draft Rumors: Reed Sheppard’s Ceiling Compared to Steve Nash as Scouts Optimistic

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVJune 3, 2024

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Some NBA scouts apparently believe Reed Sheppard has Hall of Fame potential.

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo received some pro player comps for top prospects, and Sheppard was compared to Steve Nash on the high end of his projection.

Sheppard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game during his lone season at Kentucky, emerging as a dynamic playmaker despite largely coming off the bench. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and was a second-team All-SEC selection.

“Nash is certainly a lofty name to start with for Sheppard, but it reflects the optimism from scouts that has helped him boost his draft stock as a likely top-five pick,” Woo wrote. “While his role at Kentucky didn’t let him play point guard full-time, the upside lies in Sheppard’s ability to make plays in transition, knock down shots and develop half-court creation.”

B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman has the Houston Rockets selecting Sheppard with the No. 3 pick in this month’s draft. He’s ranked as the No. 2 overall player on Wasserman’s big board.

This is not considered a particularly elite class of talent, but Sheppard is considered among the safest players in this draft due to his ability to create off the dribble for himself and others and stretch beyond the three-point arc.

Given the opportunity to play point guard full time in the NBA, it’s possible there’s an extra level available for Shepard to reach once he gets acclimated to the pro game. Whether that level is of Nashian proportions remains to be seen.