The Rupp Arena crowd is going to enjoy cheering for Reed Sheppard this season. The freshman guard was born to be a fan favorite — the son of two Kentucky basketball stars, raised in the Bluegrass, and grew up cheering for the home-state Wildcats. The fact that he’s a legitimately talented hooper is just the icing on the cake.
During Kentucky’s 86-46 season-opening win on Monday night over New Mexico State, Sheppard gave the Big Blue Nation their first taste of what’s to come in 2023-24 whenever he hits the floor. He finished with an impressive stat line of 12 points (4-6 FG), five rebounds, two assists, two blocks, two steals, and zero turnovers in just 21 minutes of action off the bench.