LEXINGTON, Ky. — Shaedon Sharpe was the first former Kentucky player to be chosen in Thursday night’s NBA draft when the Portland Trail Blazers selected him with the seventh overall pick.
The former No. 1-ranked basketball recruit joined UK at midseason but never suited up for the team. He had intended to play for Kentucky this fall, but had to alter those plans when draft feedback indicated he would be an early first-round pick.
The first five picks of the draft were Duke’s Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), Auburn’s Jabari Smith (Houston Rockets), Iowa’s Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings) and Purdue’s Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons).
Sharpe, who hasn’t played an organized game of basketball in front of NBA decision-makers since last summer’s Nike Peach Jam, is considered to one of this draft’s biggest mysteries, and one of its biggest gambles.
“I feel like there is mystery,” Sharpe said ahead of the draft. “Just because I haven’t played for about a year now. The last game was high school, so I feel like there is curiosity and mystery for me. But, like I said before, I’m just in the gym. Getting ready.”
Sharpe said last week that he has big expectations for his NBA career.
“I see myself being one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball,” he said. “Playing at the highest level, just getting after it, competing. One of my goals coming in as a rookie is being Rookie of the Year. That’s one of the goals. And then, All-Star. And later on, Hall of Fame.”
