Former Kentucky head coach John Calipari has a storied history of developing NBA talent, with 28 one-and-done players from his tenure at the Wildcats going on to become first-round picks. Now at Arkansas, Calipari's legacy continues with two standout guards from his final recruiting class at Kentucky poised to make waves in the upcoming NBA draft.
Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, both lottery prospects in the AP NBA Mock draft, are set to join the ranks of top-tier prospects such as UConn's Stephon Castle, Tennessee's Dalton Knecht, and international player Nikola Topic.
Stephon Castle, a top-10 national recruit from UConn, has impressed with his versatility as a combo guard. Despite his size at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Castle has showcased defensive prowess and playmaking abilities, although his shooting range remains an area for improvement.
Sheppard and Dillingham, representing Kentucky, bring their own strengths to the table. Sheppard's sharpshooting ability, boasting a 52.1% 3-point shooting percentage, and Dillingham's scoring prowess and playmaking skills make them intriguing prospects for NBA teams.
Dalton Knecht from Tennessee has made a name for himself as a scoring machine, ranking eighth in Division I in scoring with 21.7 points per game. Knecht's offensive arsenal, combined with his agility and athleticism, positions him as a formidable prospect for the upcoming draft.
On the international front, Nikola Topic from Serbia offers a unique skill set with his playmaking abilities and court vision. However, concerns linger over his shooting consistency and recent knee injuries, which could impact his draft stock.
Several other notable prospects include Devin Carter from Providence, Isaiah Collier from USC, Ja'Kobe Walter from Baylor, Jared McCain from Duke, Carlton 'Bub' Carrington from Pittsburgh, Tyler Kolek from Marquette, and Terrence Shannon Jr. from Illinois.
Lastly, the spotlight falls on Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, whose potential and family name add intrigue to his draft prospects, despite uncertainties surrounding his cardiac arrest last year and limited playing time at USC.
