No More Doubts About What Reed Sheppard Can Do For Kentucky

Vicky Graff Photo

The Reed Sheppard doubters will be hard to find now.

The Kentucky freshman had six assists, three rebounds and two steals in 17 minutes Wednesday when UK beat Germany in the GLOBAL Jam in Toronto. However, he went 0-for-4 from 3-point range and did not score.

But Thursday night in a 93-69 victory over Canada in what many thought would be a close game, Sheppard was the star of the game.

He had 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting and hit back-to-back 3’s in the first half. He also had four assists, four steals, two blocked shots and two rebounds in 25 1/2  minute of play.

Sheppard had the play of the game when he blocked Marko Maletic’s 3-point shot, got the ball and then dunked on Maletic, one of his two dunks in the game.

“That’s all game preparation. The coaches said No. 27 (Maletic) can shoot and I knew as soon as I helped, and they swung it out that he was going to shoot it,” Sheppard said. “I just jumped and got lucky and hit it, blocked it and then I was able to go down and dunk it. So it was pretty cool.”

Sheppard was a prolific scorer at North Laurel High School but many overlooked his rebounding, passing and defense — he is the state’s all-time steals leader. That’s why not only did he get the block and dunk, but he also had a pull-up jumper, steal and assist soon after that highlight reel play.

“Just doing whatever I can to win and impact the team the best way possible,” Sheppard said . “If that’s getting steals, or getting a rebound, or making shots, I’m going to do whatever it takes to win and I’m happy to do that as long as we come out with a win.”

Sheppard is just showing he can do more and more things and combines with DJ Wagner, Rob Dillingham and Antonio Reeves to give UK four viable guard prospects next season who can all do multiple things to help the Cats win.

“Boy, was he good today,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “Defensively, getting his hands on balls. You notice when he’s in, people fly because they know they’re probably going to get it (the ball).”

Sheppard has quickly made a believer out of former UK All-American Jack Givens, the UK Radio Network analyst, who said he could not remember a 6-3 player ever blocking a 3-point shot and then getting a dunk.

“You might see that kind of play from a long, 6-9, athletic guy do that,” Givens said. “Reed did not just block it, he slapped it and made the guy look bad and then dunked on him.”

Givens also named Sheppard his defensive player of the game and was right to do so.

“He had four steals and I know we are excited about what we saw on offense, but he must have had six or seven deflections that led to a turnover by Canada that he gets nothing for on defense. He made switches on defense that led to forced turnovers as well,” Givens said.

Teammates thought it was a good pick by Givens.

“His defense is crazy. I love his defense. He does everything. Rebounds,  get steals, shoot the ball great, pass as well. He’s just a great teammate all around. I’m happy to have him on my team,” freshman Jordan Burks said.

“Reed’s been a dog out there. He’s out there blocking shots, getting a couple of dunks, getting rebounds,”  Reeves said. “He’s doing everything the team needs to do and that’s what we’re looking for. So he’s definitely bringing that to the table.”