Team Full O' Prospects: University of Kentucky Prospect Overview

As we get closer and closer to March Madness, the end of the collegiate season, and ultimately the NBA Draft, I want to cover some of the top teams in college basketball and what I project their players to do when the season comes to an end. Where better to start than the top NBA factory in the world: The University of Kentucky. This is a program that instead of priding itself on collegiate success, it prides itself on its NBA footprint. Whether or not you agree with that tactic we can argue on another day, but from a draft perspective there's no program that produces professional talent quite like Kentucky.

This year I have come to the conclusion that this Kentucky roster bolsters SEVEN draftable prospects, a total that has only been matched by previous Kentucky teams. On top of those seven I think there are three borderline guys who I will also cover in this blog. All in all, that's 10 potential draftees on the same team, something that no other program in the country could even dream of. With all of that said, let's break down these prospects, where I think they could get drafted, and if I think they should enter the draft at all.

All Stats as of 2/26/2024*

Reed Sheppard - Combo Guard - 6'3" 187lbs - Freshman - Lottery

Reed Sheppard has consistently had the most draft buzz of any player on this Kentucky team, which has been somewhat surprising considering he came into the year with little-to-no draft stock. It's been his consistent high-level play as a freshman that has put his name among the top prospects in this class, and why he will likely be taken in the lottery if he decides to enter his name in this year's draft.

pc: Jordan Prather/USA Today Sports

Sheppard is averaging 11.7 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game, and a whopping 2.7 steals per game on the season. Those 11.7 points are coming on incredibly efficient splits of 52.2% from the field, 51.7% from three, and 81.1% from the line.

He's by far the most efficient prospect in this draft class, which is the primary reason he's projected to get drafted as high as he is. Having a three-point percentage north of 50% for the entirety of a season is unheard of, especially for a freshman getting used to the college game. I believe his offensive game in the NBA will be complementary, probably as an off-ball catch-and-shoot threat while still maintaining shot creation abilities if need be. He's a capable secondary ball-handler, as he's a composed playmaker who rarely makes questionable decisions with the ball in his hands. His ceiling as an offensive player isn't anything incredibly special, but his floor offers teams a young player who can enter the rotation immediately to help impact winning basketball.

His defensive abilities are what I think make Sheppard the lottery prospect that he is. He's a fantastic point-of-attack defender with quick hands and incredibly high defensive IQ. He also makes great decisions in help defense. He's an over-achieving shot blocker for his size, averaging over a block per game for the majority of the season. He isn't a fantastic athlete, which could hurt his defensive upside in the NBA, but I think his IQ makes up a lot of ground for his lack of athleticism. Like his offensive game, Sheppard will be an NBA-level defender on day one.

Overall, Sheppard is the definition of a can't-miss prospect. He's not going to be a top-two option on a contending team, but he could be one of the best role players in the league very early into his career. That is incredibly valuable for teams, and it's why he's going to be one of the first names called in this year's draft.

Rob Dillingham - Combo Guard - 6'3" 176lbs - Freshman - Lottery

Rob Dillingham is a very confusing prospect, but one that I'm fairly confident will be a lottery selection this year. Unlike Sheppard, Dillingham did have some draft buzz coming into the season but was definitely not projected to be a lottery pick. His elite offensive game with Kentucky this year is what has jumped him up the boards, and for good reason. There's no player in this draft with better tough shot making abilities than Dillingham. His shot selection is bewildering, and yet he's shooting nearly 50% from the field and 45% from three. He has more glaring flaws than a guy like Sheppard, but also has a much higher long-term ceiling.

pc: Kyle Ross/USA Today Sports

He's averaging 15 points per game, 3.8 assists per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, and 1.2 steals per game on the season. Like I mentioned, those points are coming off impressive splits and the shots themselves have a very high-level of difficulty. He also likes to make difficult passes, which is why those 3.8 assists are paired with two turnovers a night. Obviously, that's still a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, and not bad considering the passes he makes, but it's still something to consider.

Dillingham's overall offensive game may be the most impressive offensive bag of every prospect in this draft. I can't describe how it feels to watch him play, but I can say I've never seen a college player make shots like this guy, let alone a freshman. He also does this on limited usage, coming off the bench for a stacked Kentucky team. He undoubtedly has NBA-level shot making talent, which alone should make him a lottery pick in this draft. He's a crafty ball-handler, and I think his playmaking will actually get better in the coming years. He moves off-ball very well, looking to find his shot no matter where he is on the floor. He's going to get buckets at any level, which is obviously a very valuable trait.

His obvious flaw is his defense. Those 1.2 steals a night are very misleading, because Dillingham is a bad defender. He spaces out on defense several times per game, and genuinely helps the other team generate almost as many points as he scores. He's a very loose defender on the perimeter, which can cause him to pick up bad fouls trying to keep up with opponents. His size also allows opponents to back him down and bully him both in the interior and far away from the basket. With that said, I still think he can improve his defense. He has quick hands, quick feet, and is very athletic. I think most of his defensive issues are derived from a lack of experience and not being asked to play high-level defense before coming to college. If Dillingham wants to be impactful at the next level he will have to improve on this end, but I do think he has what it takes to do that.

If Dillingham can keep up his efficient shot making the remainder of this season, he will be a lottery pick without a doubt. Some general managers may question his ability to make these shots against NBA defenders, but with some fine tuning I think he will be able to score at a high level in the league. He's the type of guy that can move up or down on boards between now and draft day, but I'm firm in my belief that he's a top-two prospect on this Kentucky team.

Justin Edwards - Wing - 6'8" 203lbs - Freshman - 2nd Round

A year ago, Justin Edwards was supposed to be a top-five pick in this draft. Today, after an incredibly disappointing season at Kentucky, I think he's firmly outside of the first-round. However, Edwards is still a guy who has a ton of believers, and someone who I could see still entering the draft despite tanking his draft stock. When he's at his best he's a very good three-level scorer, and at his worst he completely disappears. All in all, he's an incredibly difficult prospect to evaluate.

pc: Jordan Prather/USA Today Sports

This season he's averaging 8.9 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, and .9 assists. He's doing this on decent splits, shooting 48.9% from the field, 35.4% from three, and 76.2% from the line. His offensive game relies heavily on the mid-range game, he's an average defender, and he's an average athlete.

Edwards' offensive game is definitely his primary calling card, and I'll admit that when he's on he looks very good. He's coming off the best game of his season against Alabama, finishing with 28 points on 10/10 shooting from the field and 4/4 from deep. There's a reason why he was a very sought after recruit out of high school. He has good mechanics on his shot, and if these mechanics ever pay off long-term and he starts knocking down shots consistently he could become very intriguing. Like I said, he does shoot a lot of mid-range shots, a habit that I wish he would fine-tune. He has a solid three-point shot, and if he could maybe turn some of those deep mid-range attempts into threes, he would have better numbers from both the field and from three. He's not the best at attacking the rim because he's not a spectacular athlete, but his size does somewhat make up for that. He isn't a great ball-handler or playmaker, but he's not particularly bad in these departments either.

Like I said, Edwards doesn't do anything on the defensive end that moves me positively or negatively. He's not going to pick up a ton of steals or blocks, but he's able to keep his body in front of defenders and he has good size on the perimeter and interior. He's not a great rebounder for his size either, which is something I would like to see him do better going forward. I do think he has good basketball IQ, and if he can figure out the best way to use this IQ, I believe he could become a plus defender.

All in all, if I were Edwards I would return for his sophomore year at Kentucky. Next year's team doesn't have as many highly touted recruits as this year's, which could put more spotlight on Edwards. With how highly he used to be regarded, it would likely only take slight improvement to boost him up draft boards. With that said, I have a good feeling that he will put his name in this draft. He will get drafted in the second-round, and you better believe that Kentucky will push him to enter the draft if they believe he will be drafted. The issue with that is that I think entering the draft this year could effectively ruin his career if he ends up in the wrong situation.

Antonio Reeves - Shooting Guard - 6'6" 195lbs - Fifth Year Senior - 2nd Round

Antonio Reeves is the best player on this Kentucky team. He's their primary offensive option, and he's one of the best scoring threats in the nation. The obvious issue with Reeves is his age. He will be 23 on draft day, and he'll turn 24 within a month of his rookie season. For most players, they don't have much development left at this age, and professional organizations know this. Because of this, Reeves has a very high floor and a very low ceiling, and most teams aren't going to use a first rounder on that type of player.

pc: via AOL

Reeves is averaging 19.9 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists on the season, which has been a significant improvement over his first season at Kentucky. He has very efficient shooting splits, shooting 50% from the field, 44.9% from three, and 87.5% from the line. He's an offensive firecracker who doesn't offer much on defense, and at this point in his career we are likely watching the best version of Antonio Reeves.

Offensively, Reeves could make an impact in the league right away. He's a fantastic shooter, both with the ball in his hands and on off-ball actions. He's also very good at attacking the rim, using a plethora of moves to finish around the rim. There are really no questions about his ability to score the ball; he's going to be able to put the ball in the hoop at any level. He's not a great playmaker or passer, but to be fair he really hasn't been asked to do this. You would assume that a player as experienced as Reeves, who has great basketball IQ, could be a solid playmaker.

Reeves doesn't offer much on defense, but like his playmaking, he really hasn't been asked to. He doesn't guard primary offensive threats often, instead saving his energy for the offensive end. This is more of a strategic thing than anything, but this doesn't mean Reeves would be a good defender if he were to guard better offensive players. He's probably better than a player like Dillingham, but he will never be a lock down defender in his career.

At the end of the day, Antonio Reeves is the best player on one of the best teams in the country, which will likely earn him a second-round selection. I don't foresee Reeves being an incredibly impactful player at the NBA level, but he could carve out a decent career as an off-the-bench scorer.

DJ Wagner - Point Guard - 6'4" 192lbs - Freshman - 2nd Round

Like Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner has been a disappointment on the season. He had some solid performances earlier in the season, but since then he's been a non-factor for the most part. However, he still has a decent amount of draft buzz, and I think if he were to enter the draft he would get taken in the second round. He's an explosive athlete who puts a ton of pressure on the rim and he offers solid upside on both sides of the court.

pc: via Wildcats Today

Wagner's stats have not been great this season. He's averaging 10.2 points per game, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 rebounds. These points have come on pretty bad splits, as he's shooting 40.2% from the field, 74.5% from the line, and an awful 25.7% from three. This abysmal three-point percentage has been worsened as of late, as he's gone seven straight games without making a three (0/15).

He has been the starting point guard for this team for the majority of the season, starting over Dillingham and Sheppard most likely because he does play more like a tradition one than they do. However, he isn't some kind of elite floor general, and instead operates as a primary rim attacker. He isn't a bad passer, and he doesn't turn the ball over much, but I'm not sure if he is truly capable of running an offense. He has a solid mid-range game, which does strengthen his ability to pressure the rim as defenders have to respect his pull-up game. Like I mentioned, three-point shooting is really his only offensive downfall. I appreciate his willingness to take the three, but he has a long way to go before he's a capable shooter from beyond the arc.

He hasn't been a great defender this season, but I've seen enough flashes to believe that he could be. Like I said, he is a great athlete, which is a huge advantage on the defensive end. At this point it comes down to hustle and IQ. If he can get better in those departments I could see him becoming a solid perimeter defender.

If I were DJ Wagner I would return to school next season. Like Edwards, I highly doubt he does, but it would be his best route. He has what it takes to become a lottery pick, and if he's willing to bet on himself and better himself there's no reason why he can't be. The issue is that he plays for Kentucky, who will try to push him towards the draft if they believe he's a lock to be selected in the second-round. However, if he jumps into the league too soon there's a good chance he never reaches the potential that we all think he can reach.

Aaron Bradshaw - C - 7'1" 226lbs - Freshman - 2nd Round-Undrafted

Aaron Bradshaw has been an absolute roller-coaster for the Wildcats this season. He started the season as the starting center, and he looked very solid. After a few weeks he looked like a legitimate first-round pick in this draft. However, he has since fallen out of the rotation and likely fallen out of the draft.

pc: via AOL

He has only averaged 5.1 points per game, 3.7 rebounds, and .8 blocks on the season. Those look like pretty awful stats for a 7'1" big with good athleticism, quickness, and the ability to space the floor outside of the paint...and they are. He has also had relatively poor splits, shooting 54.7% from the field, 23.1% from three, and 56.7% from the line. So why has Bradshaw been so bad?

Bradshaw was the premiere big man in this freshman class, and for good reason. Like I mentioned, his athleticism and agility standing at over seven feet is something you don't see every day. On top of that, he's willing to take the outside shot and has promising mechanics. At the beginning of the season this was showing as he put up some solid outings. However, he had several glaring weaknesses that were harming the team's overall success. On offense he just wasn't strong enough to overpower defenders in the paint. This meant he had little-to-no back to the basket game, which severely limited his offensive upside. In addition to that, the three-point shot that looked promising stopped falling all together. At this point he looks like a rim running big only good for catching lobs.

Defense is where Bradshaw's real struggles became apparent. That weakness he showed on offense was abused on defense. Bigger, more experienced big men bullied him in the post. He also got into foul trouble quite a lot trying to contest drives. Finally, he's simply an awful rebounder for his size. I'm sure this could also be attributed to him being weak, but as a seven-footer you have to grab more than three or four boards a night. All in all, he was harming the team more than he was helping and he fell out of the rotation because of it.

Bradshaw still has a ton of potential, and because of that I think there's a good chance he would get taken in the second round if he were to enter the draft. However, that would be a horrendous decision by him and his team. If I were Bradshaw, it would be a no brainer to return to college. With that being said, if Kentucky also brings back Ugonna Onyenso and Zvonimir Ivisic I'm not entirely sure that Bradshaw wouldn't enter the transfer portal. The big man logjam in Kentucky is a real issue for these guys trying to make a name for themselves, and if the center rotation doesn't change, I think Bradshaw may have to look for a change of scenery.

Zvonimir Ivisic - C - 7'2" 234lbs - Freshman - 2nd Round-Undrafted

Take almost everything I just said about Aaron Bradshaw and copy-and-paste it to apply to Zvonimir Ivisic. There are a couple differences, but both players have had very similar seasons for Kentucky. Ivisic was the big question mark on this team to start the year, not being cleared to play by the NCAA until after Christmas due to him playing professional ball in Europe. Once he was cleared most thought he would add another layer to the dynamic offense while also providing much needed rim protection on the other end. At first this looked to be true, before immediately falling apart.

pc: via bvmsports

In ten games played on the season, Ivisic is averaging 5.5 points per game, 3 rebounds, .4 assists, and 1.4 blocks. He does have decent splits thus far, shooting 54.1% from the field, 46.2% from three, and 81.8% from the line. Overall, these numbers are wildly underwhelming for what was expected of Ivisic once he was cleared to play.

Offensively, Ivisic is one of the higher upside players on this team. Not very often do you see a guy his size knocking down contested threes from deep and throwing behind-the-back passes to cutting teammates. He's not a spectacular athlete, but he does move better at his height than most of his contemporaries. The real issue with him on this end of the floor is his consistency. He either looks fantastic or he looks like he's never seen a basketball before, there's no in-between. You can also blame coaching for these inconsistencies, as some games he plays 20+ minutes and others he'll play less than 3. This lack of consistent play, both in time and performance, has harmed his offensive output.

Like his offense, there really is no in-between with his defensive abilities. Either he looks like an elite shot blocker, or he looks like an absolute traffic cone. Quicker guards maul him, and he's too weak to stand up against strong bigs. When bigs try to face him up he's pretty solid at moving his feet and getting a contest, but at this point the scouting report reads, "back him down every time". I think if he were to put on some muscle/weight he could be a solid defensive player, but that could also harm his outside shooting on the other end, so I'm not sure what he will do to get better in this department.

The real issue with Ivisic is that the production just hasn't been there. He has all the tools to be successful at the next level, he just needs to combine them in a way that allows him to be the best version of himself. If he were to enter the draft, I could see a team using a second-rounder on him, but they probably won't if he doesn't start playing better soon. Like Bradshaw and others on this Kentucky team, Ivisic desperately needs at least one more year of development in college.

Ugonna Onyenso - C - 7'0" 247lbs - Sophomore - 2nd Round-Undrafted

Ugonna Onyenso is the only big man on this Kentucky team that has been able to find his groove this season. He plays a pivotal role on a team that has struggled defensively all season: He shuts down the paint. He has been one of the best shot-blockers in college basketball, and because of this he has really carved out a role in the rotation that he didn't have to start the year. He has basically eaten all of Bradshaw's minutes and some of Ivisic's and the team looks better because of it. However, he's probably the least sought-after prospect of the three.

pc: via CatsIllustrated

In 19 games on the season, Onyenso is averaging 3.9 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks. His splits are polarizing, as he's shooting 58% from the field but only 58.6% from the line. He doesn't shoot threes, just in case you were wondering. These numbers, apart from the blocks, may not jump off the page at you, but he's been incredibly impactful.

Onyenso doesn't offer much on offense. He can finish a lob and he sets hard screens, but other than that he's not too interested in putting the ball in the basket. This isn't necessarily an issue at the college level, as Kentucky doesn't need him to score with the immense amount of fire power they have surrounding him. However, this is a major question for NBA organizations, as he has to showcase some sort of offensive awareness if he wants to get drafted down the road. For the time being, though, he does what he's asked to do, and it helps the team.

Obviously, defense is his calling card. Those 2.7 blocks are actually deflated, as he started the year playing very limited minutes. In games where he plays 15 minutes or more, he's actually averaging around 3.6 blocks. He's had games this year with 10, 8, and 5 blocks (the 10 coming in only 24 minutes). He's simply one of the best rim protectors in the country. He has very good size that allows him to stand up other bigs. He's also agile enough to move with guards, at least once they've entered the paint. This defensive presence has been one of the biggest positive factors for Kentucky this season, and it's a trait that most agree will translate to the professional level.

At the moment Onyenso is a college player, plain and simple. He's way too raw on offense to enter the draft after this year. However, if he were to enter the draft, I could see a team falling in love with his defensive upside and taking him in the second round to try and develop him in their organization. With that being said, I'm almost 100% positive that Onyenso will be returning to Kentucky for his junior campaign.

Adou Thiero - Wing - 6'8" 222lbs - Sophomore - Undrafted

Adou Thiero is perhaps the most intriguing prospect on this Kentucky team, we just don't know it yet. No player archetype is valued more in the modern NBA than the athletic two-way wing, which is exactly what Thiero projects to be. He's been a solid offensive and defensive contributor this year, and some could argue he's been the unsung hero for this Kentucky team. I don't have him getting drafted this year, but I'm about to explain why I think he could go early next year.

pc: Jordan Prather/USA Today Sports

Thiero is averaging 8.1 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, and .8 steals. He is making shots at an efficient clip, shooting 50% from the field, 33.3% from three, and 80.9% from the line. You can see from his stats alone that he's a very well-rounded player who does work on both sides of the court. He's not incredibly flashy, but he gets the job done.

On offense Thiero is getting better and better as the season moves along. He's always been good at pressuring the rim, as he's a fantastic athlete, but what has really improved is his shooting. Last year it looked like he may never develop an outside shot, but this year he has turned into a capable shooter from deep and a very good shooter from the line. Being able to space the floor has helped him on the drive too, as defenders have to respect his outside shot. He's not a fantastic playmaker, but he also plays within his means and doesn't turn the ball over. Overall, his offense has gotten significantly better this season and I think this trend could continue next season.

Defensively is where Thiero has shined the most while at Kentucky. It could be argued that he's the best defender on the team. He doesn't have the impressive numbers that Sheppard or Onyenso have, but he's more versatile than both of them. He can legitimately guard 1 through 5 at the college level. His size and athleticism make him a nightmare on the perimeter and the interior, and ultimately, he just gives a ton of effort. At the NBA level I don't think he could guard fives, but someone who can defend almost every position on the floor is incredibly valuable at any level.

Like I said, I don't think Thiero is a draftable prospect this year. He's not quite good enough yet considering his offensive ceiling isn't incredibly high. If you don't have the potential of a top guy you have to have more production than Thiero has had. However, I assume he will be returning to Kentucky next year, where I hope to see his numbers get even better. If he can start producing serious numbers while still impacting the game at the level he has so far, I see no reason why he can't be a first-round pick as soon as next year.

Tre Mitchell - Wing - 6'9" 231lbs - Fifth Year Senior - Undrafted

The last player I'm going to cover on this stacked Kentucky roster is Tre Mitchell. Mitchell has had a weird season, but for the most part he has played the role of the veteran glue guy on a team full of kids. He has been facing injuries lately that have kept him off the floor, but for the majority of the season he has played very solid basketball. He gets the job done on both sides of the court, never tries to do too much, and is a leader on the team. He's probably too old to be a draft prospect, but there's definitely room for him in professional basketball.

pc: via Wildcats Today

Mitchell is putting up solid numbers this year, averaging 12 points per game, 7.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, and .8 steals. His shooting splits have also been good, as he's shooting 49.7% from the field, 33.3% from three, and 73.1% from the line. He has the most well-rounded stat sheet of any player on the team, which makes sense considering everything I'm about to say about him.

Offensively, Mitchell is the definition of an all-around player. He can score on all three levels, he puts his teammates in great positions, and he doesn't turn the ball over. He's a good shooter, he's good on the drive, he makes smart passes, and avoids dumb decisions. I trust him with the ball in his hands more than anyone on the team besides Reed Sheppard. I'm not positive how this would translate to the league, but at the collegiate level it's incredibly valuable.

He's no slouch on defense either. Like his offensive game, he plays within his means on the defensive end. He sticks with players on the perimeter, and he's big enough to not get bullied down low. He doesn't pick up stupid fouls, and he chips in a few blocks and steals every game. He's probably the best rebounder on the team, something that I attribute to his experience and ability to tell where a ball will come off of the rim.

All in all, this Kentucky team desperately needs Tre Mitchell to play well for them to be successful. This is a team that doesn't have to worry about scoring, but they do have to worry about everything else. Tre Mitchell does everything else, and he also puts the ball in the basket. He obviously has to enter the draft, as he has no more years of college eligibility, which is a shame considering how good of a player he is at this level. I don't see him getting drafted due to his age and lack of spectacular output, but I 'd be willing to bet he signs a two-way contract almost immediately.

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There it is, the full prospect overview for the Kentucky Wildcats. This is by far the deepest team in the country, but they are also one of the youngest teams in the country. I'm curious to see how they perform in March, because based on their season up to this point, they could win a championship, or they could be bounced in the opening weekend. No matter how they do though, they will likely have several players drafted in this year's NBA draft. This is Kentucky we're talking about, after all.