USBWA names Kentucky's Reed Sheppard its National Freshman of the Year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Reed Sheppard became the third University of Kentucky basketball player — and first native of Kentucky — to be voted the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Freshman of the Year on Monday.

The 6-foot-3-inch guard from London, Kentucky, joins John Wall (2010) and Anthony Davis (2012) as UK's other winners. The award, named in honor of Wayman Tisdale, has been given to the country's top freshman since 1989.

Sheppard, who averages 12.8 points per game, has scored in double-figures in 21 games this season. He also has been named the nation's best freshman by The Field of 68, as well as ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Dick Vitale. College Hoops Today picked him as National Sixth Man of the Year.

Sheppard has dished out a team-best 145 assists, and his 80 steals are only seven shy of a school record set by Rajon Rondo (87 in 2004-05). Sheppard became the first player in UK history to record five steals in three straight games in late February. He's on a pace to join Rondo as the only UK players since 1979 (the year steals began being kept as an official statistic) to average 2.5 steals per game or better.

More statistical superlatives: He's the only player in the nation with at least 80 steals, 145 assists and 70 made three-pointers. His three-point percentage of 52.5% leads the nation. His effective field goal percentage of 68.6% ranks seventh nationally.

Sheppard also has been voted SEC Freshman of the Year by league coaches and was voted All-SEC Second-Team.

Kentucky opens NCAA Tournament play on Thursday against Oakland. Game time is set for 7:10 p.m. from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The game airs on CBS.

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