Kentucky's freshmen guards, Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard, continue to make waves as projected lottery picks in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft. Both players have been consistently highlighted as top 14 selections in recent mock drafts by ESPN and The Athletic.

Dillingham, averaging 14.7 points, three rebounds, and four assists in 23.3 minutes per game, has caught the attention of NBA scouts with his performance. Sheppard is also proving his worth with impressive stats of 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.6 steals in 28.4 minutes per outing.

While Dillingham is projected as high as the third overall pick by one outlet, Sheppard is anticipated to go 12th overall to the Chicago Bulls. In addition, DJ Wagner has been tagged as a late first-round pick, with Justin Edwards and Ugonna Onyenso also attracting interest.

Notably absent from the draft projections are fifth-year senior Antonio Reeves and freshman Aaron Bradshaw, who have seen shifts in their playing time in recent weeks. Bradshaw, once considered a likely draft pick, is no longer featured in the mock drafts.

As the college basketball season nears its end, key upcoming dates for NBA draft hopefuls include April 27th, the NBA Early Entry Eligibility Deadline, and June 16th, the NBA Draft Early Entry Entrant Withdrawal Deadline. The 2024 NBA Draft, now expanded to a two-day event on June 26-27, promises to be an exciting showcase for Kentucky's budding talents.