Hornets Two Way Targets - Ben Sheppard

From being an unknown to THE sleeper of the 2023 NBA Draft

This is the second article in the "Two-Way Targets" series, read about the first prospect profiled Jordan Walsh HERE.

Going into the 2023 draft, Charlotte will likely try and fill out their two-way slots for the 22-23 season, let's jump into the second of my priority targets Ben Sheppard.

SG - Ben Sheppard (Belmont)

If you've not heard of him, I don't blame you. Only the purist of college basketball fans watching Belmont in the Missouri Valley Conference would have seen Sheppard this season. I'll admit he wasn't on my radar as I did my scouting throughout the season, but that's all changed now.

After receiving an invite to the Chicago draft combine and being bestowed with the prestigious "Plowright MVP" of the two live scrimmages, Sheppard has emerged as a hot name in the draft cycle which has led to me diving deep into his tape. If you haven't had a chance to see him play, I recommend watching the highlights of his draft combine film in the short clip below.

Ben Sheppard was one of the biggest standouts at the draft combine last week. Really solidified his second round stock as a floor spacer with some ball skill and nice positional size. pic.twitter.com/DRoYdPzM46

— Wilko (@wilkomcv) May 23, 2023

Sheppard has an acute sense for who he is as a basketball player and plays with a mature approach, just as well as he's going to be 22 before the start of next season. In his four years at Belmont, Sheppard made considerable progress from averaging three points as a freshman to 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists on 47.5% from the field and 41.5% from three as a senior. Sheppard made the MVC All-Conference 1st team for the past two seasons, as well as making the MVC All-defensive team and the All-District 1st team in 22-23. From watching his interviews it's clear he's highly personable and intelligent, which shows through both on and off the court.

Measuring in at 6'6" with a 6'8" wingspan he has good size albeit average length for an NBA shooting guard. He's going to be a below-average vertical athlete in the NBA, he only had 10 dunks on the year with the majority coming in one on none transition scenarios. However, Sheppard is an elite athlete in his own way. His slight 195-pound frame helps with his speed which was put on display at the draft combine as he set the fastest shuttle run of all prospects. This speed comes through in various ways on the film too, Sheppard effectively shadows his opponent, nimbly jumps out on ball handlers, and gets into passing lanes creating turnovers. Offensively, Sheppard's sudden movements help create separation when running off screens and filling driving lanes with or without the ball in transition.

Despite these advantages, his slight frame at 21 years of age does suggest Sheppard is going to be at a strength disadvantage the majority of the time he's on the floor in the NBA if he guards opposing twos. Due to Sheppard's on-ball defensive chops, there is a good chance he could end up guarding point guards in a lot of scenarios where he can use his Basketball IQ to out-dual his opponent. The clip below from the Draft combine shows how Sheppard's active hands and aggressive man-to-man defense can generate turnovers, the pass wasn't half bad either.

Ben Sheppard with the two-way sequence. Great steal and on-ball defense then threads the needle for the assist. pic.twitter.com/OWT6xF2x70

— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) May 18, 2023

Despite his impressive defensive flashes, the skill Sheppard will hang his hat on in the league is his outside shooting. Over his college career, Sheppard shot 37% from in 546 College attempts, over his last two years you can bump that up to 39%. Per Synergy, he shot 49% on unguarded catch-and-shoot opportunities while also shooting 45% off the dribble. Belmont's system ran Sheppard off various off-ball actions, he's already programmed to slot into an NBA offensive system where he won't need to dominate the ball.

Despite being a two Belmont gave Sheppard free license to play as a creator in the pick and roll, according to synergy 38% of Sheppard's offensive positions came in the pick and roll. These possessions were effective, resulting in an overall 50.5% field goal percentage. Depending on the match-up or defensive scheme Belmont was facing, Sheppard changed his approach and mentality from scoring to playmaking depending on what his team needed. That sort of versatility and intelligence is exactly what will make Sheppard a valued NBA role player. 

Ben Sheppard showcases he's more than comfortable creating for others in the P&R.

His quick decision-making on that end stands out and is another added value to his draft profile.

An early second-round pick on my board and a guy I think will be on a competing team next year. pic.twitter.com/z5EnBRPSAt

— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) May 29, 2023

Overall, I think Sheppard is the perfect combo guard to herd your second unit (Don't pretend you didn't know that was coming at some point). I have his NBA comparisons as Austin Reaves, Terrance Mann, and Quentin Grimes. Combo guards who can shoot, defend and distribute the ball but aren't suited as a primary ball handlers. Interestingly, all three of those comparisons were also seniors when drafted and projected in the late 1st/early 2nd round. 

In ESPN's current mock draft, Sheppard is projected at #36, right around where Charlotte has multiple selections. With his two-way ability and NBA-ready game, he should be a priority candidate for the Hornets in the second round.

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