2024 Roster (Enter Antonio Reeves & Tre Mitchell)

[KentuckyWild2020]

Ah, I call this the “Chris Lofton Paradox”. Chris isn’t recruited by UK, so in his desire to ‘prove them wrong’ he probably shot 1000 3s a day in the gym and made himself into the player everyone saw. My hypothesis is simple: does that motivating factor manifest had UK signed him?

So, yes, by the Chris Lofton Paradox, some players will be motivated to improve once they feel they have to leave UK.

Never really thought of it this way but yes, if Lofton came to Kentucky would Lofton had been Chris Lofton?? Seems like the fact Kentucky says you are not good enough to play here motivates a player to be all they can be, maybe that was the case with Charles Matthews as well. I know Wiltjer went on to become a great college scorer, a few other high schoolers went elsewhere and became good Dl College players in the past....

[KCKUKFan]

Kyle Wiltjer was a good player for Kentucky as a freshman. On an excellent team, he was a reliable contributor. His sophomore.outing was spotty, but that team was DOA when Noel got injured. I think he would've had a similar career trajectory if he would've stayed at Kentucky all four years.

[Pobilly]

I doubt very much that Shepherd is PG material.

I was going by the report during the McDonalds Game where all the players and persons watching the practices and such said he is the one player out there that makes everyone else better out there, finding the right pass, getting in passing lanes at the right time, hitting a shot when needed and such. To me that sounds like a good point guard. He averaged like 8 assists a game this past year. I have not see the kid play except the Micky D's game and that was short lived.

[DA#23]

Sheppard

[largebluej]

I doubt very much that Shepherd is PG material.

If he's not a PG then i dont see him playing at all. I've watched him play a handful of times. He is his team's primary ball handler and playmaker. I think passing is his best skill. He's a good but not great shooter. I don't think he is big enough or good enough shooter to be a 2. I think he could be a serviceable starting PG and good backup PG for UK.

[DA#23]

Pitino tried, and tried, to play Jeff Sheppard as a point guard.

[Lighthouse]

If he's not a PG then i dont see him playing at all. I've watched him play a handful of times. He is his team's primary ball handler and playmaker. I think passing is his best skill. He's a good but not great shooter. I don't He is big enough or good enough shooter to be a 2. I think he could be a serviceable starting PG and good backup PG for UK.

He played like that because his HS team needed him to. I only saw him as a Junior, so he could have improved enough to be a PG. He is a great passer, and I think he's a very good shooter, especially with his mid-range jumper. I believe he will earn a lot of PT at UK.

[Lighthouse]

Sheppard

Thanks.

[Joneslab]

I don't think Sheppard is too small to play off the ball, really. I mean if Antonio Reeves and his stick-figure body can play shooting guard then I think Sheppard can.

A lot of those guys play point guard in high school because you generally give your best player the ball at that level. I think he can play on a wing--and in fact in the McDonald's practices that's where they put him.

[Spiritof96]

Pitino tried, and tried, to play Jeff Sheppard as a point guard.

That was a bad idea. Jeff, didn't have the handle for it. Jr. has more of his mom's game so...

I still see him as a wing though.

[Jody Porter]

Modern basketball has kind of gone away from "traditional" positions other than most teams having/wanting a pure PG/1. If we use the traditional terms though, Reed will be a 2 or 3. A "point forward", perhaps. He can guard so he's going to get on the floor some next season. He'll make some shots, but moreso he's going to make plays that make a team better. An all-around player. I'm looking forward to it.

[Jody Porter]

I'm seeing that Kentucky has reached out to Dalton Knecht, a transfer from Northern Colorado. 6'6", high-scoring guard. Currently the 5th ranked player in the Portal.

[George]

I'm seeing that Kentucky has reached out to Dalton Knecht, a transfer from Northern Colorado. 6'6", high-scoring guard. Currently the 5th ranked player in the Portal.

Get him. Get him and as good a portal PG as possible. Probably a big man, too, for when Ugo transfers.

[KCKUKFan]

And Cumwad. Get him for when Livingston ultimately bails.

[Joneslab]

As expected, Jacob Toppin is officially gone to the NBA.