NBA Draft forecasts for Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard
Both projected first rounders in the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Two former Kentucky Wildcats are projected to be drafted in the early stages of the 2024 NBA Draft, while others may be waiting longer to hear their names called.
ABC 36 is your home for the first round of the draft on Wednesday June 26 at 8 p.m.
Reed Sheppard
London, Kentucky native Reed Sheppard is seen by multiple draft analysts as the third overall pick by the Houston Rockets. However, Bleacher Report predicts that Sheppard will be drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, who could trade up to draft him.
Sheppard’s play captured the hearts of Kentucky fans in his only season in Lexington. The home-state talent averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and shot over 50 percent from behind the arc this past season.
Rob Dillingham
While Sheppard seems to be locked in at third overall, former teammate Rob Dillingham doesn’t have the same expectations from analysts.
ESPN predicts Dillingham will be taken as high as eighth overall to the San Antonio Spurs, but CBS thinks he’ll be plucked by the Sacramento Kings at 13th overall.
The guard from Hickory, North Carolina averaged just over 15 points and four assists per game during his time in Lexington.
Justin Edwards, Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell
Projected second rounder Justin Edwards could be picked up by at 42nd overall by the Charlotte Hornets or 34th overall by the Portland Trailblazers according to The Ringer and Sports Illustrated respectively.
ESPN is predicting that the Philadelphian may be drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies. Edwards scored in double figures 14 times in 32 games as a Wildcat and averaged just under nine points a game.
Other Wildcats who have their names in the draft are Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell.
ESPN predicts Reeves will get off of the board in the second round with a selection at 46th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Mitchell’s draft chances are the worst out of the five former ‘Cats. He slots in at 85th on ESPN’s best available players overall and 17th in his power forward position.
