Kentucky’s NBA Prospects Make Noise In Win Over UPenn

These four freshmen impressed evaluators this weekend.

Author:
Arya Chawla
Publish date:
Dec 11, 2023 11:20 AM EST

In this story:

Coming into this year’s college basketball season, Kentucky boasted the nation’s top recruiting class. Per Recruiting Services Consensus Index (RSCI), the Wildcats signed the third-best graduating high school prospect of 2023 in Justin Edwards. By signing Aaron Bradshaw, they also signed the fourth-best. And then by signing D.J. Wagner, they signed the sixth-best. Coach Calipari’s stacked recruiting class doesn’t end here though. The biggest name of them all and sixteenth-ranked recruit Rob Dillingham committed to play in Lexington last year and No. 33 ranked Reed Sheppard committed to Kentucky back in 2021.

With three five-star recruits and two four-stars, it makes sense that NBA scouts have an investigative eye on the Wildcats’ games. There’s an undeniable amount of talent in the locker room, but it takes more than just talent to win college basketball games. So far, Kentucky finds themself with six wins and two losses, good for a top-20 ranking in the country. Different players have stepped up in different games. In this one, four of their five freshmen showed out in impressive ways.

Aaron Bradshaw

Bradshaw came off the bench in just his second game of the season, but instantly impressed. The 7-footer showcased his tantalizing mix of size and athleticism en route to 17 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks in 29 minutes of play. He also recorded a team high plus-minus of +18.

Rob Dillingham

Dillingham also came off the bench as he has most of the season and continued his stellar play. Despite being listed at a mere 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, the viral hooper has scorched the nets from deep and did so again, nailing three of his five attempts from beyond the arc. His size provides some obstacles, but with shifty ball handling, potent pull-up shooting, and shred playmaking, Dillingham is showing that it just might not matter.

D.J. Wagner

Wagner scored just nine points in this contest, but he arguably showed more than he would in a high-scoring affair. He dished out a season-high seven assists, showcasing the passing chops a lot of evaluators crave out of a 6-foot-3 ball handler.

Reed Sheppard

Arguably their best player thus far, Sheppard didn’t have his highest scoring game this Saturday. He only scored six points, but continued to impact the game in other ways as he has all season. In addition to dishing three assists, he notched three steals with his quick hands, matching his season average. Sheppard’s started just one game, but the Kentucky native has impressed with scorching efficiency, disruptive defense, and productive passing.

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