Pacers Draft: Pacers select Ben Sheppard with the No 26 pick
Several solid options fell to the Pacers pick and they went with a 3 and D specialist.
The Indiana Pacers utilized the No. 26 pick in the NBA Draft to select Ben Sheppard out of Belmont University.
Sheppard is a four-year player out of Belmont who will turn 22 years old in a few weeks. He worked his way into the first round throughout the draft process as a solid 3 and D option on the wing.
Physically, Sheppard compares to Bennedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith, but his ability to knock down shots and also guard on the perimeter make him a valuable player the Pacers hope can quickly carve out a role in the Pacers rotation.
Sheppard averaged almost 19 points per game and shot 41.5% from three land on six 3PAs per game. The kid can shoot it quick and easy.
More to come on the Pacers latest pickā¦
Perhaps had they exercised some patience and not pulled the trade with Denver beforehand, they could have had Walker (@8), Whitmore (trade into teens with 26 & 29), AND Sheppard (@32).
I have to think this means Chris Duarte is on the move as part of a deal for a forward (eg - Obi Toppin or Grant Williams).