Reed Sheppard in the new national rankings, and more Kentucky basketball recruiting links
Rivals.com updated its basketball recruiting rankings for the 2023 class Thursday, and future Kentucky Wildcat Reed Sheppard made another jump on the list.
Sheppard, who committed to UK last fall, moved from No. 21 to No. 17 overall in the new Rivals.com rankings. The North Laurel combo guard had moved from No. 39 to No. 21 in the previous update to the Rivals list. Sheppard is averaging 24.9 points per game, shooting 39.2 percent from three-point range and has led North Laurel to a 21-4 record so far this season. 247Sports also ranks him No. 17 overall, while ESPN has him at No. 34.
Elsewhere in the new Rivals.com rankings, South Carolina power forward GG Jackson took over the top spot from major UK target DJ Wagner, who dropped to No. 3 on the list. Duke and North Carolina have been battling for Jackson’s commitment, though Kentucky could enter that mix soon. Another UK target, Mackenzie Mgbako, moved to No. 2 overall, with Wagner at No. 3 and three more Kentucky targets — Mookie Cook, Kwame Evans Jr. and Matas Buzelis — in the 4-5-6 spots.
Other 2023 recruits with UK scholarship offers in the new rankings are small forwards Justin Edwards (No. 8 overall) and JJ Taylor (No. 11).
Top Kentucky basketball recruiting links
Bracketology: NCAA expert tells us about UK’s chances for a No. 1 seed
UK target Naas Cunningham holds No. 1 spot in updated 2024 rankings
Calipari watched 2023 recruits Isaiah Miranda and JJ Taylor on Thursday
Ex-McD’s All-American Dawson Garcia won’t return to UNC this season
Chet Holmgren is unlike any college basketball player we’ve ever known
7-foot-3 high school star in Kentucky transfers schools yet again
Shaedon Sharpe and the 2022 draft: What NBA analysts think he’ll do
National analyst explains ranking GG Jackson over DJ Wagner for 2023
Reed Sheppard’s team will play in a big game at NKU on Friday night
John Calipari says NIL reforms might keep players at Kentucky longer
More on NIL: Calipari, Barnhart express support for Kentucky legislation
Ex-UK target Brandon Huntley-Hatfield makes first start for Tennessee
What makes uncommitted 5-star Anthony Black such a coveted recruit?
More Next Cats links: Two Kentucky signees fall in new 2022 rankings
This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 1:11 PM.
