An intriguing scholarship offer came Reed Sheppard’s way Wednesday night, with the Kentucky high school basketball standout landing a new one from Virginia.
Though UK extended an offer to Sheppard — the son of two former Wildcats stars — two weeks ago, recruiting observers have speculated that, if any college program can beat Kentucky for the 17-year-old’s commitment, it’s Virginia.
Sheppard and his family took a recruiting visit to Charlottesville last month, and UVa Coach Tony Bennett has been keeping an eye on the 6-foot-3 guard during the July evaluation periods. The Cavaliers apparently have seen enough to make Sheppard one of their top recruiting targets in the 2023 class. He has also received scholarship offers from Indiana, Ohio State, Clemson and UMass since landing the Kentucky offer July 9.
Kentucky is still the major Crystal Ball favorite for Sheppard’s commitment, but the UK legacy said after receiving the offer from the Wildcats that he is no hurry to make a college decision and plans to take more campus visits and continue to talk to other college coaches. Virginia might end up as the Cats’ top competition.
Top Kentucky basketball recruiting links:
In-depth look at 2023 recruit JJ Taylor, who already has a Kentucky offer
Get to know Keyonte George: Q&A with the No. 1 shooting guard in ‘22
A closer look at Derik Queen, who ESPN already ranks at No. 1 in 2024
2024 center Somto Cyril emerging early as a high major recruiting target
The analysts at Pro Insight also took an early look at Somto Cyril’s game
Why Bill Self sees Gonzaga as top recruiting program in college hoops
More recruiting links: All the biggest UK news from earlier in the week