Indiana Pacers 'excited' with what they have in first round picks Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard
Three days ago, the Indiana Pacers had five draft picks, including picks seven, 29, and 32. Last night, they finished their wheeling and dealing and didn't pick at any of those draft slots during the 2023 NBA Draft. Instead, they moved around to secure more assets while still getting their guys.
In this case, those guys are Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard. The Pacers grabbed Walker eighth overall after a trade with the Washington Wizards, which netted the blue and gold two future draft picks. Sheppard, meanwhile, was chosen with the 26th overall pick.
"Real excited about the picks," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of his team's first-round selections. "Both guys are energetic basketball junkies. High basketball intelligence, high IQ."
Walker and Sheppard both worked out for Indiana as a part of the pre-draft process in early June. Walker had an individual workout, which was his first solo audition in the draft cycle.
He hoped to show the Pacers his versatility and what he could bring to the blue and gold immediately. On paper, he's an excellent defensive fit, but he wanted to show off the full depth of his skill set.
"We had a great visit with him," Carlisle said of Walker. "I just had a feeling that night that he could be our guy and ended up spending more time with him than the other guys."
Carlisle got some personal time with Walker in the car and showed him around the facilities. The Pacers head coach loves those moments, one-on-one time with players. Getting to know them and helping them grow is something he enjoys about coaching, and Walker said that he felt like he hit it off with the Pacers on his visit.
It helps that Walker had a great showing on the court. "I feel like it was one of my better [visits] for sure," he said of his trip to the St Vincent Center. He did well defending Pacers assistant Jannero Pargo, who can still play at a high level. That impressed Carlisle.
"In a league where defensive versatility, the ability to switch and contain, is so important, we believe he can do that," the head coach said. He thinks that Walker can evolve into a special four man that can rebound, push in transition, and make plays.
That's exactly what the Pacers have needed for years. They have lacked depth and talent at that position throughout their current era, and the former Houston Cougars forward can potentially provide that. His size and defense will benefit his new team, perhaps early on in his first season.
"I feel like I'll definitely fit in... protect the rim, play passing lanes, get steals," Walker said of his fit with the blue and gold. He shared something similar at the NBA Draft Combine about how well he would align with Indiana's program.
That day, two players that Walker said he studies are Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Indiana should be encouraged by that as they will hope to see offensive growth from their lottery pick. His defense projects to be solid, but his offense has some question marks.
"Shooting is the main thing I need to work on... that will take my game to the next level," Walker explained after the draft.
Still, between his defensive talent, culture fit, and passing upside, the 19-year old is a great piece for the Pacers. And that's why he was so excited to be selected by the franchise.
He thought he was going to the Pacers at seventh overall, so he was a tad confused to see Bilal Coulibaly walk across the stage in an Indiana hat at first. But the trade was then explained, and Walker ended up where he thought he would fit the best: with the Indiana Pacers. He then sat there with his teary-eyed family for a few moments before chatting with gathered media.
"I was excited," he said.
The Pacers weren't done. They had another first round pick, and according to General Manager Chad Buchanan on 1075 The Fan, they were trying to be aggressive and move into the middle part of the first round.
They weren't able to find a deal, and they ended up staying at the 26th slot. That's where they snagged Sheppard, a guard/wing hybrid from Belmont.
Sheppard worked out for the Pacers on June 8, and he said it went well afterwards. Apparently, he impressed the team that day with his play on both ends of the court. Carlsile gushed about that session.
"[Sheppard] really showed out. He played great on both ends," the head coach said.
In his final season as a Bruin, Sheppard averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. His three-point shooting jumped over 40% on nearly 200 attempts, and his advanced stats were impressive.
His rise to becoming a first-round pick started at the NBA Draft combine, where he was a standout in the scrimmages. He had 25 points in one of the exhibitions with over 100 NBA scouts and executives watching, including a large group from Indiana.
The efficiency stands out and, should it maintain in the pros, will help him be a quality wing-type player. Any playmaking or defense he can provide should only add to his value if the outside shot continues to develop.
"He can shoot," Carlisle said of Sheppard.
"He's a unique prospect in that he has length, he has quickness, he has really good ball skills," the head coach added. He thinks Sheppard could play point guard in a pinch but will more naturally be a wing, and Pacers scouts were high on the 21-year old.
All-in-all, it was a hectic night for the Pacers. They made two trades on draft day, and they also walked away with Mojave King and Isaiah Wong in the second round. Their young core is growing.
Walker and Sheppard are the standouts. Indiana loves what they got with both players, and as the team looks to take a step forward next season, both players could help on one end of the floor.
"These are the kind of guys we want to build this roster and this organization with. We're really thrilled with the first round," Carlisle said. As Indiana moves forward in their build, they are happy with 2023's draft night.
- Sources: Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers swap second round picks and cash considerations. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets agree on draft pick trade, per source. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers trade with Washington Wizards, select Jarace Walker with eighth overall pick. CLICK HERE.
- Source: Indiana Pacers receive two second round draft picks in draft-night trade with Washington Wizards. CLICK HERE.
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