Lexington Catholic coach Brandon Salsman has never seen anyone with a better basketball IQ than UK signee Reed Sheppard. (UK Athletics Photo)
Lexington Catholic coach Brandon Salsman has watched North Laurel senior/Kentucky signee Reed Sheppard play a lot during his prep career. He’s not sure it really mattered when he saw Sheppard play because his impression was almost always the same.
“Awesome is awesome whether it is a junior or senior year,” said Salsman. “His ability to understand the game of basketball is second to none.
“I have never seen anyone with his basketball IQ. He makes everybody so much better because of the way he can get anywhere he wants on the floor and then he can get the ball anywhere he wants on the floor. He’s just a phenomenal player.”
North Laurel beat Lexington Catholic 77-65 to open the season when Sheppard had 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field 6-for-7 from the foul line. He also had a team-high eight rebounds.
Sheppard is averaging 23 points and 8.9 rebounds per game this season while shooting almost 50 percent overall from the field.
North Laurel played in the prestigious City of the Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., this week where it went 2-2 after losing 70-69 to Bowling Green Dec. 10 and then 59-54 to Imhotep Charter of Philadelphia and UK signee Justin Edwards Dec. 11. North Laurel will compete in the White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic at Lexington Catholic next week.
Sheppard is currently averaging 23.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game and shooting 47 percent overall from the field, 41 percent from 3 and 86 percent at the foul line.
“I am just a big fan of Reed Sheppard and he is a great person, too. I enjoy talking to him before, during and after games,” Salsman said. “I will always be a big fan of his. I have grown up a Kentucky fan and it’s going to be very easy to follow him and wish him well at Kentucky.”
6 Responses
Cal will have to start 2 centers and 5 guards next year to keep everyone happy. Unless they change the rules I see a bunch of transfers in our future.
Calipari will pick his favorites, play them, and the others will be relegated to the end of the bench.
That has been his M/O regardless of the depth of talent.
Amen, if your from ky.that is strike against you. One and done at UK for Shep.and it’s not to the N. .A.
I hope Shepard starts and is utilized to his potential. A Kentuckian with his talent should be played a majority afterall he is our All State
player and will earn his spot.
I think Reed will do great
Larry Bird