LEXINGTON, Ky. – Reed Sheppard, the talented freshman guard for the Kentucky men’s basketball team, has once again been recognized for his outstanding performance. Sheppard was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for the second time this season. The London, Kentucky, native showcased his skills in the Wildcats’ recent victory against Louisville, recording his first career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 11 assists.
Under the guidance of head coach John Calipari, the University of Kentucky has dominated the SEC awards. With a total of 129 weekly SEC honors, Kentucky has claimed more awards than any other school during Calipari’s tenure. This includes an impressive 98 SEC Freshman of the Week accolades and 31 SEC Player of the Week honors. Sheppard adds to Kentucky’s legacy, as he joins teammate D.J. Wagner as a two-time recipient of the Freshman of the Week honor.
Sheppard’s performance against Louisville was remarkable. His 11 assists were the most ever recorded by a Kentucky player in the series, surpassing the previous high of nine assists achieved three times before. Not only did Sheppard excel in playmaking, but he also contributed on the defensive end with a pair of steals. In fact, Sheppard has recorded at least two steals in every game this season. His presence on the court proved invaluable, as the Wildcats boasted a plus-27 rating while Sheppard was on the floor during the victory.
Sheppard’s contributions extend beyond a single game. Standing at 6-foot-3, Sheppard currently ranks fourth in the country in overall plus/minus for the season. He leads the nation in true-shooting percentage according to KenPom.com and ranks second in effective field-goal percentage. Additionally, his impressive 57.8% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc places him fourth in the nation. Sheppard also showcases his defensive prowess, ranking ninth in steals per game and 53rd in assist-to-turnover ratio. His well-rounded game includes an average of 4.3 assists per game, landing him 109th in the country.
Looking ahead, Kentucky will face Illinois State in their upcoming game on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action on SEC Network. To stay updated on the latest news surrounding the Kentucky men’s basketball team, make sure to follow @KentuckyMBB on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Additional information can be found on UKathletics.com.
