ESPN makes NBA shocking comparisons for Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham
Could Sheppard be among the best in the NBA one day?
It’s not anticipated that the 2024 NBA Draft will be as historically successful as the one that took place the previous year, when the San Antonio Spurs selected franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama.
But there’s talent, and that skill has the potential to grow into something exceptional. Anything can happen, since Nikola Jokic was a second-round selection in the past.
Several former players are likely to hear their names called during the June event, including the Kentucky Wildcats. Though they are among the few remaining former Cats, Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham are anticipated to be the only lottery selections from Lexington.
Both recently underwent comparisons by ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, in which he gave a ceiling and a floor.
Sheppard’s ceiling was former MVP Steve Nash, while his floor was Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard.
“Nash is certainly a lofty name to start with for Sheppard, but it reflects the optimism from scouts that has helped him boost his draft stock as a likely top-five pick. While his role at Kentucky didn’t let him play point guard full-time, the upside lies in Sheppard’s ability to make plays in transition, knock down shots and develop half-court creation,” Woo said.
Woo is spot on here. Sheppard can play make, and he can shoot from deep with pinpoint accuracy. The thing that hopefully will set him apart from the rest is his basketball IQ, which should help him limit turnovers and keep a positive influence while on the court.
As for Dillingham, he was compared to Darius Garland and Bones Hyland.
“Dillingham’s creative playmaking and long-distance shooting has drawn comparisons to players such as Garland and Trae Young, but scouts acknowledge the wide range of outcomes for guards his size (6-foot-2, 164 pounds) in the NBA. He possesses the mobility and scoring potential to be a formidable scorer and playmaker if he can quickly adapt and establish himself as a starter, according to Woo.
“Teams aren’t expecting Dillingham to be more of a microwave option off the bench with a top-10 pick, but that could lead to some longevity if things go the other way.”
Dillingham’s ceiling might be compared to Tyrese Maxey, the explosive former guard from Kentucky who is making waves in the City of Brotherly Love.
Nevertheless, in what ought to be a weaker draft class, both are projected to be top-10 picks and have All-Star potential.
