NBA Draft Profiles: Magic Would Have to Trade Up for Kentucky Shooting Star Sheppard

Reed Sheppard might be the best shooter in this year's NBA Draft. But he is expected to be taken among the first six picks, out of the Orlando Magic's reach unless they are willing to make a trade.

Mar 6, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard (15) shoots the ball during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports / Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

ORLANDO — In his one season of work at Kentucky, Reed Sheppard shot his way into the top of the NBA Draft. The Orlando Magic's offense could use an outside threat, but at what cost?

Sheppard currently is projected as high as the No. 3 selection and no lower than No. 6. Orlando has the 18th overall pick. The question for the Magic is do they pursue better 3-point shooting in the draft or in free agency?

Whatever choice the Magic make, 19-year-old Sheppard is generating buzz ahead of the June 26-27 draft.

“There is a level of certainty tied to his elite shooting, high-IQ passing, and special defensive instincts that holds extra weight during a year when there aren't obvious stars,” Bleacher Report writes. “That could make him more attractive at the top of this particular draft to teams that are unwilling to take risks on bigger projects who may have more upside.”

Sheppard was a four-star prospect and rated as the top high school player in the state of Kentucky, yet his college production in at least one category — 3-point shooting — exceeded his lofty expectations and elevated his status in the draft.

In high school, Sheppard shot 29 percent from three-point range. At Kentucky, he converted 52.1 percent from three-point range on roughly four attempts per game.

To be fair, the 3-point distance in college is 20 feet 9 inches. The NBA distance ranges from 22 feet in the corners to 23 feet 9 inches.

A knock on Sheppard is that at 6-foot-2 he is small for a shooting guard. But at the NBA Combine, Sheppard turned heads with a 42-inch vertical jump. The teenager’s game is already polished as a shooter, but with his steals, assists, and leaping ability also jumping off the page in evaluations, it's tempting to imagine just how much better he could get in the pros as he continues to refine his game. 

Still just 19 years old, Sheppard looks like one of the most promising players in this NBA Draft, and he’s more than a three-point shooter. Sheppard also climbed the Wildcats record books and finished with the second-most steals by a freshman in Kentucky history after averaging 2.5 per game and was the first player in school history with three games of 25-plus points, 5-plus rebounds, and 5-plus assists in a single-season, according to 247 sports. 

Sheppard spoke selflessly about his game, saying that he didn’t care whether he had to pass, shoot, or get water for his teammates. All he cared about was doing whatever it took to win. His versatility could make him a good fit on the Magic’s roster.

Round one of the NBA Draft will begin on June 26th at 8 p.m. ET.

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