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Reed Sheppard recognized as NABC National Freshman of the Year

Kentucky men’s basketball’s Reed Sheppard was named the 2023-24 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) National Freshman of the Year on Tuesday.

Sheppard is the first player from the University of Kentucky to be honored with the award, which began being awarded in 2017.

Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard (15) passes the ball during the No. 2 Kentucky vs. No. 7 Texas A&M men’s basketball match in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Kentucky lost 97-87. Photo by Samuel Colmar | Staff (

To further spotlight Sheppard’s first season as a Wildcat, the Kentucky native was also recognized as the nation’s best freshman by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), The Field of 68 and ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Dick Vitale.