NBA Future Watch: Ben Sheppard Basketball Cards, Indiana Pacers – Ben Sheppard grew up as a point guard before switching to shooting guard due to a growth spurt. That transition not only accounts for why Sheppard’s secondary ball-handling skills are so sharp, but it also serves as a metaphor for his career, which has gone through its own growth spurt since 2021.
In his point guard days, Sheppard was named the 2019 Best Passer in Atlanta by the Gwinnett Daily Post. That said, Sheppard collected accolades in his prep career. He was 2018 and 2019 Georgia Class AAA First Team All-State while helping his team to the 2018 state title. There, he earned game MVP honors. In 2018 and 2019 he was named to the Georgia All-Region Team. However, these honors and his AAU stint did not place him on the recruiting radar.
Suiting up at Belmont, Sheppard started relatively slowly, placing 8th in MPG in 2019-20. Playing time loosened up significantly the next season. But it wasn’t until Sheppard’s junior year that his offensive prowess started catching up to his defense, with 16.2 PPG and .371 3%. The arrow continued to point upward in 2022-23 as Sheppard progressed to 18.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.4 SPG and .415 3%.
Sheppard’s rise continued at the 2023 NBA Combine. It included a 25-point outing in a scrimmage, one short of the event’s record. Initially not considered to be a first-round pick, He landed in Indiana with the 26th pick.
Backing up the formidable Bennedict Mathurin, Sheppard is being brought along slowly by the Pacers. He is counted upon to continue his development as a 3-and-D force. That would make him a very noteworthy player on one of the league’s most rapidly improving teams.
Sheppard has a range of Panini Prizm, Donruss, and Hoops cards and stickers on the market. A range of parallels and inserts are available, in addition to the base cards. Additionally, Sheppard has Hoops Rise N Shine Memorabilia and Hoops Rookie Sweaters.
NBA Future Watch: Ben Sheppard – Stats
Statistical image generated on Sports Reference 02/19/2024.
NBA Future Watch: Ben Sheppard Basketball Cards, Indiana Pacers – More Resources
- Beckett Card Catalog
- NBA.com Player Profile
- 2023 Panini Prizm Draft Picks Collegiate Basketball Cards Checklist
- 2023-24 Panini Hoops NBA Basketball Cards Checklist
NBA Future Watch: Ben Sheppard Basketball Cards, Indiana Pacers – Image Gallery
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