Rally for Reed Sheppard: Small-town star shining on national stage
LONDON, Ky. — Reed Sheppard only switched out his North Laurel jersey for a coveted University of Kentucky jersey this past year, but Reed has had his eye on the Wildcats for quite some time.
Growing up in the Commonwealth, it is every basketball kid鈥檚 dream to wear 鈥淜entucky鈥� across their chest and play at the one and only Rupp Arena, and for Reed it means a little more, as both of his parents left their own legacies at the University of Kentucky.
Reed鈥檚 father, Jeff, won two national championships at the University of Kentucky in 1996 and 1998, while also being named Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 鈥�98. Stacey, Reed鈥檚 mother, also played basketball at the University of Kentucky, where she still ranks in the top ten of several statistical categories, including being No. 2 in career steals and sixth in all-time assists. Reed鈥檚 sister, Madison, also went on to play collegiate basketball at Campbellsville University.
Reed said he has learned a lot from his parents, but not just on the basketball court.
鈥淚 love my parents a lot and I appreciate them for all they have done for me and continue to do for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been awesome being able to learn from them and watch them as I grow older, just seeing how they take on everything. I have learned so much from both of them, on and off the court, being able to see how they treat people and see how they go about different things. It鈥檚 definitely been really cool for me to be able to learn from them and I鈥檒l never be able to thank them for all they have done for me.鈥�
Growing up in London and always being a fan of North Laurel, Reed said that made it even more special when it was his turn to put on that blue and green uniform and represent the Jaguars.
鈥淭o finally be old enough to play for North and be able to have the community come and watch and support us, it was really cool for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd then being able to play with my teammates that I grew up with鈥攊t鈥檒l be something I鈥檒l never forget.鈥�
Being a small-town basketball star with parents who made their own names in the world of basketball, Reed has always had all eyes on him. But Reed鈥檚 skills on the court were realized even more so in his last two seasons with the Jaguars where Reed helped to lead his team to back-to-back state tournament appearances and earning the title of Kentucky Mr. Basketball.
鈥淚 think everyone knew early on that Reed had a gift that was going to take him beyond his high school playing days,鈥� said North Laurel Boys Basketball Coach Nate Valentine, Reed鈥檚 former coach. 鈥淭he question was always where his talents could actually take him.鈥�
Coach Valentine said there was one game that still sticks out to him鈥攚hen North Laurel faced off with the number one team in the state, Covington Catholic, during the COVID year. Coach Valentine鈥檚 team defeated Covington Catholic in a close head-to-head battle, 89-87, where Reed scored 45 points for the Jaguars.
鈥淔or me, that鈥檚 when I really thought Reed had a chance to be something special,鈥� Coach Valentine said.
In just his junior year at North Laurel High School, Reed verbally committed to the University of Kentucky in November 2021, bypassing offers from over 10 other colleges and universities. Almost a year later, in November 2022, Reed officially signed his letter of intent to play basketball for the Wildcats.
Following his announcement, North Laurel鈥檚 gymnasium was standing-room-only most nights when the Jaguars were playing an opponent at home, as people from all over Laurel County and beyond were looking for an opportunity to see the University of Kentucky commit play before making his debut with the Wildcats.
鈥淚t was certainly a lot fun watching Reed grow and develop as a player,鈥� Coach Valentine said. 鈥淗e and his teammates created a lot of buzz around the state and certainly the community. I can鈥檛 say enough about how the entire community embraced our team.鈥�
Reed鈥檚 hometown of London is still showing out for their favorite Wildcat, with community members traveling to see Reed play in that blue and white uniform to showing their support on social media to bringing in a new generation of fans just looking for a chance to catch a glimpse of their small-town star on television.
鈥淚t’s really cool being able to come out after the games and being able to see my family and see other people from London that I know, whether they are little kids that have been at the basketball camps and being to all the high school games and stayed in touch that way,鈥� Reed said. 鈥淪o, it鈥檚 pretty cool knowing that they have been supporting me and everything and been a fan ever since I was in high school and are just continuing to follow me onto college and are continuing to come watch and interact with me, you know. That鈥檚 pretty cool.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 been surreal to see Reed play in the UK uniform,鈥� Coach Valentine said of watching his former player living out his dreams by playing for the Wildcats. 鈥淚鈥檝e been able to get to a few games this season and watch on TV when I can. It鈥檚 great to see him having success.鈥�
Coach Valentine said one of the things he admires most about Reed is his loyalty to his hometown, to his school and to his team.
鈥淩eed had the opportunity to transfer to any school in the country, but he chose to stick it out here at North Laurel because he wanted to play for his school and his community,鈥� Coach Valentine said. 鈥淪o many kids are transferring and going to Prep schools to finish out their career now. Reed has proven you can be a big fish in a small pond and still make it to the highest level. The cream always rises to the top.鈥�
And Reed is proof of that statement, as he continues to create lots of buzz as a Kentucky Wildcat, making a positive impact on his team鈥檚 success every minute he is on the court.
Despite all the recognition he has received and continues to receive, Reed remains just as humble as ever.
鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy but I try not to think too much about it,鈥� Reed said when asked what it was like going from a small-town high school basketball star to a nationally ranked college basketball star. 鈥淚 try to just continue doing what I鈥檓 doing, just have fun playing the game and continuing to learn and get better every day and enjoying it.鈥�
Reed has some advice for those young athletes who are praying for their own Kentucky basketball dreams to come true.
鈥淛ust keep working and doing what you鈥檙e doing and you鈥檒l have the chance one day to hopefully play basketball as well,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou just have to keep working and don鈥檛 listen to what everyone says. Just stay in the gym and first, always do your schoolwork and continue to do what you love whether it鈥檚 basketball, whether it鈥檚 any other sport or whether it鈥檚 not sports at all.
鈥淛ust do what you love and don鈥檛 let anyone have a negative impact on your life just because they say something about you, just try to have a positive voice all the time.鈥�
Reed had one last message for his hometown.
鈥淭hank you, guys, for everything that you all have done for me and all the support,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 appreciate it and there鈥檚 nothing like growing up in a small town and everybody knowing each other and everybody pulling for each other.鈥�
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