Reed Sheppard is the epitome of what can happen when a talented in-state basketball player decides to stay home and don the blue and white of the Kentucky Wildcats. The four-star guard, hailing from Laurel County, lived out the dream of many Kentucky fans, transitioning from a McDonald’s All-American to becoming one of the most exciting players in recent Kentucky basketball history. His journey culminated in being a top-three draft pick and securing a $45.8 million rookie contract.
Sheppard’s achievements at Kentucky were remarkable. As the NABC National Freshman of the Year and an All-SEC team member, he excelled in every way possible during his college career. The only thing missing from his resume, as his father Jeff Sheppard pointed out, was a national championship.
Following in Reed’s footsteps, other in-state talents like Travis Perry and Trent Noah have also committed to Kentucky. Both players made the jump from competing in the KHSAA Sweet 16 state championship at Rupp Arena to suiting up in the historic venue for all their home games as Wildcats. Malachi Moreno, the nation’s No. 1 overall center from Georgetown, is set to join them next season.
The next in-state star on the horizon is Jasper Johnson, a five-star guard from Lexington who is set to make his college commitment on September 5. Kentucky is also eyeing Tay Kinney, a top-35 guard from Newport in the class of 2026. The state’s talent pool is deep, and the Wildcats are making a strong pitch to keep these players close to home.
Reed Sheppard: Staying Home Was an Easy Choice
For Reed Sheppard, the decision to play for Kentucky was straightforward. Growing up, Kentucky was his dream school, and when the opportunity arose, it was an easy choice to make.
“At the end of the day, it’s Kentucky,” Reed Sheppard told KSR. “It was my dream school growing up, and I hope it’s the same for other in-state players. You’re playing on national television every game, competing against the best players in the world, with great facilities. It’s just a great place to play basketball and a great place to live.”
Reed’s father, Jeff Sheppard, has a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed at Kentucky. As a two-time national champion and NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Jeff knows firsthand the pressures and rewards of being a star at Kentucky. His wife, Stacey Reed, was also an all-time great in Kentucky’s women’s basketball program, making the Sheppard family a cornerstone of the program’s rich history.
Jeff Sheppard’s Advice: Take the Shot if You Get the Chance
Jeff Sheppard’s advice to in-state players considering Kentucky is simple: if you get the opportunity, take it. He believes that while you can make it to the NBA playing elsewhere, Kentucky offers a unique preparation that can make the difference in sticking in the league and thriving under pressure.
“Our message is very clear: it’s Kentucky,” Jeff Sheppard said. “After going through the process with Reed, I’m convinced that if you can play in the NBA, it doesn’t matter if you come from Kentucky, UCLA, North Carolina, or even a small school. But the question is, who’s going to prepare you the best? At Kentucky, Reed was evaluated against top competition like Dalton Knecht, the guards at Alabama, and teams like North Carolina and Kansas. Those evaluations put him on the national radar and showed how he could handle high-pressure situations.”
Life After Basketball: The Kentucky Difference
Beyond the basketball court, Jeff Sheppard emphasizes the long-term benefits of playing for Kentucky. He questions whether other programs can offer the same level of fan support and opportunities after a player’s career ends.
“There’s something special about Kentucky when it’s all over,” Jeff Sheppard explained. “Not that other programs don’t have that, but for a Kentucky kid, playing here is different. When their basketball career ends, they come back, and Big Blue Nation embraces them. Darius Miller is a great example—after finishing his playing career, he returned to Lexington to start the next chapter of his life. The same goes for guys like Jack Givens, Kyle Macy, and even me.
“I’m not originally from Kentucky, and neither is Kyle, but we’ve been here so long that people think we are. But for kids who are born and bred here, like Reed, there’s a special connection. If you walked into Reed’s room right now, you’d still see pictures of Devin Booker, Tyler Ulis, Rajon Rondo’s jersey, and Anthony Davis. There’s just something different about being a kid from Kentucky.”
The Sheppards’ story is a powerful testament to the unique experience of playing for Kentucky, a program that offers not just basketball excellence but a lifelong bond with the state and its passionate fan base. For in-state players with dreams of playing at the next level, Kentucky offers a compelling path that few other programs can match.
