Could Reed Sheppard return to Kentucky?

Will star freshman Reed Sheppard return to Kentucky?

Mar 15, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard (15) celebrates after making / Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

We are in the part of the basketball offseason for the Kentucky Wildcats where the players are making decisions on if they want to head to the NBA Draft, transfer portal, or return to Lexington.

Rob Dillingham will most likely be heading to the NBA Draft, but could star freshman Reed Sheppard return to Kentucky next season?

The SEC Freshman of the Year averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 steals this season while shooting an incredible 52.1% from deep.

Kentucky fans will hope the Wildcat legacy will return for a second season in Lexington, and it will likely all be up to NIL. It would make a ton of sense to head to the NBA Draft knowing he will more than likely be a lottery pick, but with the changes in college hoops, Sheppard can make millions in Lexington next season.

If I had to guess, I would say Sheppard will make the move to the NBA, but it does seem like some members of Big Blue Nation believe he just might stick around in Lexington for another season.

With some assuming Sheppard will make a move to the NBA, a sharpshooter has become an off-season priority for the Wildcats, but if he were to come back, that would no longer be a concern for John Calipari in the transfer portal.

Whether Sheppard stays in Lexington or makes the move to the NBA, he will always be a Kentucky legend, but having him back for next season would have the 2024-25 Kentucky team in really good shape.