What to know about Pacers first-round pick Ben Sheppard
The Indiana Pacers selected Belmont's Ben Sheppard with the 26th pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Here's what you need to know:
Ben Sheppard got better each year at a mid-major
In the transfer portal era, it's rare to see an NBA prospect stay with a mid-major program for his entire college career but Sheppard made the most of it. He improved his scoring -- from 2.9 points per game to 10.5 to 16.2 to 18.8 -- each season and his 3-point shooting -- 27.9% to 32.8% to 37.1% to 41.5%.
Belmont coach Casey Alexander thanked Sheppard for staying in a tweet: "Could've taken a payday at all the (high majors) asking him to transfer. He stayed (at Belmont) and flourished."
A yr ago @BelmontMBB lost 5, 5th year seniors & 7 of our top 8 players. @shepben2 the only returner. Could’ve taken a payday at all the HM’s asking him to transfer. He stayed @BelmontUniv and flourished. Carried us all yr. Today he gets his well-deserved reward. We love u Ben.
— Casey Alexander (@CaseyAlexander_) June 22, 2023
His improvement continued at the Combine where Sheppard emerged as a serious first-round draft pick candidate. He averaged 17.5 points in two scrimmages, including 25 points on 8-of-10 shooting in the second game and also had the fastest shuttle run (2.94 seconds) and was seventh in the three-quarter sprint (3.17 seconds).
“Can really move without the ball," Stadium's Jeff Goodman said. "Good shooter. Not elite shooter. High IQ. Just fits. Fits in. And gives you good positional-size. Not a great athlete, good defender too. He’ll just be a good piece. Honestly, I like that pick. A lot. I really like what Indiana has done so far.”
Why can't Ben Sheppard shoot free throws?
Sheppard was a great shooter at Belmont ... everywhere but the free-throw line. Strangely, Sheppard made just 69.6% from the line in college, including 68.9% as a senior when he shot 51.9% on 2-pointers and 41.5% on 3s.
Belmont also didn't play many high-major opponents. Sheppard faced two SEC opponents as a junior -- LSU and Vanderbilt -- going 10-for-29 for 25 points in the two games.
Last year Andrew Nembhard showed out at the draft combine and got selected by the Pacers
This year Ben Sheppard showed out at the combine pic.twitter.com/S1C3YEJzaX— AKRiley (@AKRileyy5) June 23, 2023
Sheppard linked with Indianapolis' Dylan Windler
Sheppard is the second Belmont player selected in the NBA draft in five years, joining former Perry Meridian High School star Dylan Windler, who was also selected 26th in 2019 by Cleveland. They didn't play together with the Bruins. Windler has struggled to establish himself with the Cavaliers in the NBA.
Joe Gaines was selected by Portland in 1972 as the only other Belmont player to be drafted.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers: What to know about Indiana's first-round pick Ben Sheppard
