What's Up In The Missouri Valley: What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/21/2023

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

What's Up In The Missouri Valley 6/21/2023

Hollinger’s 2023 NBA Mock Draft: Will trades make a mockery of it?--The Athletic

26. Indiana — Ben Sheppard, 21, SG, Belmont
The Pacers are shopping their picks at Nos. 26, 29 and 32 to move up, but another angle would be to move out. The obvious trade partner here would be the Denver Nuggets, who could send them the 2024 first they got from Oklahoma City (the least favorable of the Thunder’s four picks) in return for this choice in 2023.
If the Pacers pick here, Sheppard checks a lot of boxes for what they have tended to draft in the past, as a high-achieving college player who showed well in the NBA Draft Combine. There is some overlap between his skill set and the current roster, as the Pacers would probably love to draft a 6-foot-8 guy here and could look at somebody such as Phillips or Rupert, but I suspect Sheppard grades out better on most boards.

NBA Draft: College coaches dish on the top prospects in 2023 class--The Athletic

Ben Sheppard, 21, 6-5, W, Belmont
Missouri Valley assistant coach: “Best motor I saw all year. Excellent shooter, good size and length for a guard. How Bruce Brown (played) in the playoffs is how he could be in the league. An excellent 3-and-D guy.”

Vecenie’s NBA Mock Draft: Miller or Henderson at No. 2? Reading through the smoke screens--The Athletic

28. Utah Jazz (via Philadelphia)
Ben Sheppard | 6-5 wing | 21 years old | Belmont
The Scout: Another riser throughout the pre-draft process, Sheppard is considered a solid bet to hear his name called in the first round because of his combination of shooting and feel for the game. Sheppard is intelligent and makes the right play to keep the offense flowing. He’s also a confident shooter and a player who held up extremely well defensively this season, earning Missouri Valley All-Defense honors. He could even go a touch higher than this on draft night.
The Scout: The Jazz haven’t been quite as aggressive as some of the teams above them in looking to move their third first-rounder if only because they do not have any second-rounders and are flexible enough with their roster that they can house three rookies. But they’re willing to take calls about consolidating pick value. Sheppard has risen throughout the process and is seen as a good bet to hear his name called in Round 1.
The Range: No. 20 to 35

Why Lady Vols basketball transfer Destinee Wells almost didn't play college basketball--Knoxville News Sentinel