Two familiar faces have returned to Lexington this summer, as former Kentucky Wildcats Reed Sheppard and Derek Willis have been spotted working out together at the Joe Craft Center.
Sheppard, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, just wrapped up his rookie season with the Houston Rockets. He played in 52 games, averaging 4.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 12.6 minutes per contest. That followed a stellar college campaign, where he put up 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in nearly
29 minutes per game across 33 appearances for the Wildcats.
Joining him was Derek Willis, a Bullitt County native who played at Kentucky from 2013 to 2017. Since then, Willis has built a solid professional career overseas, including stops in Germany, Italy, and Turkey. He recently completed two seasons with EuroLeague contender Anadolu Efes and has now signed with Paris Basketball in France.
Seeing two different generations of Wildcats put in offseason work together is another reminder that once you’re part of Big Blue Nation, you’re part of it for life, and it’s home.
Former Wildcats Reed Sheppard and Derek Willis are both back in Kentucky, working out together at the Joe Craft Center. #BBN
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) July 31, 2025
: keelyrwillis pic.twitter.com/7U9MXJCr39
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