Jeff Sheppard says players missed Rick Pitino at reunion celebration

Jeff Sheppard enjoyed the recent UK basketball reunion but wished former UK coach Rick Pitino could have been there. (UK Athletics Photo)

Jeff Sheppard was one of the players who attended the reunion celebration for Kentucky’s 1996-97-98 basketball teams that won two national titles and lost in the title game the other year.

Rick Pitino recruited Sheppard and coached the 1996 national title team and 1997 team that lost to Arizona in the title game. Tubby Smith was the 1998 national championship coach after Pitino left for the NBA.

Pitino is now the head coach at Iona and did not attend the reunion celebration.

“I was texting coach Pitino the morning of the (Tennessee) game. It was not the same without the man who led us with so much passion, style and energy,” Sheppard said. “He said, ‘Tell guys I love them and they (1996 team) are the best team ever. He believes the 1996 team was the best team ever assembled in college basketball.

“We missed him. I look forward to when the time is appropriate for Kentucky to make a decision to  honor coach Pitino. I hope I can be there at that moment, I believe he deserves appreciation for the work he did at Kentucky.

“He brought Kentucky from one of lowest points to this incredible run in the 1990’s. He laid the foundation for coach Smith to come in and finish the 98 championship. He just did an incredible job and that should never be forgotten.”