One-on-one with Indiana Pacers first-round pick Ben Sheppard
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers rookie Ben Sheppard wears his emotions prominently, and it was clear when he was introduced to Indianapolis media and team staff on Friday that he was overjoyed.
His smile went from ear to ear for over an hour as he answered questions from strangers. He sat between teammate Jarace Walker and General Manager Chad Buchanan and soaked it all in during an introductory press conference on his new practice court in the St Vincent Center.
"Several of our scouts targeted Ben," Buchanan said. He noted that Sheppard was first on the Pacers radar at the MIssouri Valley Conference Tournament during Sheppard's freshman season.
The six-foot-six-inch wing/guard hybrid averaged 18.8 points per game in his final season at Belmont, and he shined with a 25-point performance at the NBA Draft Combine. That helped his draft stock, and now the Pacers have a chance to develop him.
After his introductory press conference, Sheppard chatted with AllPacers for a few minutes one-on-one. He discussed his workout with Indiana, his leadup to the NBA, and more. Note that some questions have been edited for brevity.
AllPacers: Why Basketball? Why was it the sport for you?
Ben Sheppard: I played a lot of sports growing up. Football was my favorite sport until ninth grade. I think around 10th grade, that's when I wanted to fully pursue basketball. It worked out. It's just a great sport. There's nothing like hitting a three-pointer, getting a steal, making a good pass, stuff like that. It's just super fulfilling for me and I love being out there.
AllPacers: Was there a time in your college days when you thought 'I need to get better at the [outside] shooting to reach the NBA'?
Ben Sheppard: I would say right when I got there. Shooting is a huge part of basketball, and confidence also plays a big role in that. I took major steps throughout my college career confidence-wise. Just staying in the gym, always perfecting my shot. Staying to it.
AllPacers: Was there a time where you realized the NBA was a potential reality for you?
Ben Sheppard: I would probably say junior year, two years ago. Definitely the ESPN tournament. Kinda surprised myself, and also some people. I've kinda always been the type of player that I am, I just needed the eyes on me and I needed that door to be opened. Just always proving myself.
AllPacers: Could you feel it at the NBA Draft Combine after that 25-point game that there was a little more attention on you in this process?
Ben Sheppard: Definitely. If that didn't wake people up I didn't know what would. Definitely glad I performed like that. It's just a milestone.
AllPacers: Teams scout guys for years and years, so it always strikes me when they say the workout was really important, because it's one datapoint in a bunch of them. Did you feel like you played that well here?
Ben Sheppard: I feel like I played good in my workout here. It was a super competitive workout, like the GM mentioned. High-level guys in here and I just wanted to prove myself. I did all the little things and just tried to be myself and not do anything outside the box.
AllPacers: Did you know that day in a conversation with somebody that the Pacers could be the team you end up with?
Ben Sheppard: Honestly, I had no idea. I didn't ask my agent for any projections or what he's thinking or what teams like me or what don't. It was a complete surprise [Thursday]. I definitely got a good feeling talking to coach Carlisle and the GM.
AllPacers: Are you always this smiley?
Ben Sheppard: Yeah!
Sheppard will wear number 26 for the Pacers. Fittingly, that was the pick Indiana used to select him on Thursday night.
- Indiana Pacers are 'excited' with what they have in first round picks Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets agree on draft pick trade, per source. CLICK HERE.
- Source: Indiana Pacers receive two second round draft picks in draft-night trade with Washington Wizards. CLICK HERE.
- Sources: Indiana Pacers to sign Oscar Tshiebwe to two-way contract. CLICK HERE.
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