In an eventful NBA Draft, former Kentucky Wildcats Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham made waves by being selected in the Top 10. However, the draft didn't go as smoothly as anticipated, with unexpected trades and surprising picks adding excitement to the night.

Reed Sheppard, the highly-touted prospect, was selected at No. 3 overall by the Houston Rockets. Celebrating his achievement alongside his parents, who were also celebrating Stacey's birthday, Sheppard expressed his gratitude to be sharing the moment with his family and friends. The joyous occasion was shared with a crowd of 75 people.

Rob Dillingham didn't have to wait long to hear his name called, as he was initially selected by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 8. However, moments later, it was reported that Dillingham was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for future draft picks. While initially met with frustration, many Kentucky fans recognized the potential of Dillingham joining forces with Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, adding excitement to the prospect of seeing them in action.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks made a surprising choice with the No. 1 overall pick, selecting Zaccharie Risacher. The decision left the Hawks' fans less than thrilled, as the reaction inside State Farm Arena showed. Risacher's selection added to a draft night filled with unexpected moves and surprises.

One of the most shocking moments came when Zach Edey, known for his old-school style of play, was chosen by the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 9 overall. Many had questioned how Edey's game would translate in the modern NBA, making his selection one of the most unexpected of the night.

Dalton Knecht, a standout from Tennessee, found himself sliding down the draft board, eventually being chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers at pick No. 17. This unexpected turn of events saw Knecht joining forces with former NBA player JJ Redick, who is now a coach for the Lakers.

As the first round of the NBA Draft concluded, attention turned to the second round, where Kentucky's Justin Edwards and Antonio Reeves were still waiting to hear their names called. This year's draft marked the first time the event spanned two days, allowing teams four minutes to make their selections. John Calipari, the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, was actively lobbying for Edwards and expressed confidence in Reeves' chances of being chosen in the mid-40s.

While contracts for the draft picks are yet to be negotiated, the rookie payscale sets the stage for substantial earnings for the selected players. According to data from Spotrac, Sheppard's four-year deal as the No. 3 pick is estimated to be worth $45.9 million, while Dillingham's deal as the No. 8 pick is valued at approximately $28.5 million.

For John Calipari, the draft night didn't go as planned, with fans questioning why his team failed to perform better in the SEC and NCAA tournaments with the talent of Sheppard and Dillingham on the bench. However, the NBA Draft brought exciting prospects and unexpected twists, adding anticipation and intrigue for the upcoming basketball season.

In other sports news, Kentucky's football team saw multiple new commitments while Adam Luckett was on vacation. Additionally, the popular sports podcast "Pardon My Take" took over the Kentucky Sports Radio airwaves, providing entertainment for the Big Blue Nation.