Reed Sheppard dishes on role with Kentucky: "Whatever it takes to win"

In an earlier interview with Yahoo Sports' Krysten Peek, the now Kentucky Wildcat guard speaks about his expectations in his first year in Lexington.

Video Transcript

KRYSTEN PEEK: You're headed to Kentucky next year. You're from Kentucky. Was that just your dream school and someplace you always wanted to play as a basketball player?

REED SHEPPARD: Yeah, growing up being a little kid from Kentucky, it's everybody's dream to play at Kentucky, and then having mom and dad both played there as well. So that made it a little easier for me. But yeah, that's been a dream of mine since I've been a little boy. And when Coach Cal finally called and made that offer, it was a dream come true, and I'm super excited to get up there.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Legacy kid. I like that. What was your reaction when you finally got that offer?

REED SHEPPARD: Well, we were in the hotel room, it was me and mom and dad in the hotel room, and he called and we weren't expecting it. And when he offered, we all just sat there in shock after the phone call for five minutes, without saying anything. It was just a surreal moment. And then to be able to do it with my parents in the room was awesome, and it's something I'll never forget.

KRYSTEN PEEK: And on the flip side, when you finally said, I'm going to commit to Kentucky, what was their reaction with the coaching staff? What was their response to you?

REED SHEPPARD: So we actually drove up. It's just like an hour and a half drive, so we drove up to meet with the coaches. They had no idea what we were doing. So we said it in person, it was pretty cool. Coach Cal jumped up out of his seat and gave me a hug. So that was a really cool moment for me and my family to be able to spend with the coaches, and it was an unbelievable experience, and it's something I'll never forget.

KRYSTEN PEEK: You guys have a super talented class coming in it's very unique, because usually you don't see so many high level guards committing to one program, you, DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham how do you anticipate you guys playing together in the backcourt next year?

REED SHEPPARD: I trust Coach Cal to do what he does, he's a really good coach. I think we'll all get up there and we'll play really well together, and we'll make it work. And if he plays three guards at a time, if he plays two, if he even plays one, it's going to be fun, and I think everybody will do what Coach Cal asked them to do. And the whole experience is going to be awesome. I'm looking forward to it.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Have you talked to any of them at all during the season leading into your next year?

REED SHEPPARD: Yeah, we all stay in contact a little bit. We have a group message on Instagram and messages. So we all stay in touch, and I I've been talking to Justin all weekend, he's staying in our hotel. So it's good being able to catch up with him and talk to him, knowing that next year we're going to be teammates and play for Kentucky together.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Are you comfortable playing off the ball? You I've seen you in the game letting other people take the ball up. Is that intentional?

REED SHEPPARD: Yeah. I'm perfectly fine with playing on or off the ball, either one is fine with me, or whatever it takes to win I'm good with. If that's going out and shooting 3's, or going out and making assists, or anything, or getting some water. No matter what, I'm good, as long as the team is winning.

KRYSTEN PEEK: The fans there and the games are electric. What are you most looking forward to, putting on that blue and white and playing next year?

REED SHEPPARD: The first time running out on Rupp Arena for the first game is going to be unbelievable. The fans will be excited. It'll be a new team, and just putting on the jersey the first time will be unbelievable, growing up, always wanting to do that. And then finally, having that experience and that chance to do it will be unbelievable.