Episode 25- Jeff Sheppard

The Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by Kentucky Wildcats royalty, Jeff Sheppard. The 2x Champion and 1998 Outstanding Player of the 1998 NCAA Tournament discusses how he wanted to follow in Rex's footsteps at Kentucky, and going on to win championships with both Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith.

7:00 - Jeff professes his admiration for Rex Chapman and a tough start to his career as a Kentucky Wildcat, settling on his iconic #15 jersey.

13:00 - Rex shares the first time he played pickup with Jeff, and how impressed he was even before his first practice at Kentucky.

16:30 - How did a Georgia boy end up at the University of Kentucky? Jeff talks about a dream he had to play in the Final Four for the Wildcats that goes back to the 6th grade.

21:00 - How Rex and Jeff remember their biggest moments around basketball, from starting in high school to beginning their careers with Kentucky.

25:30 - Jeff's son Reed is one of the most sought out basketball recruits for the class of 2023, already with an offer from John Calipari.The guys speak about the pressure around Lexington and Wildcat nation for Reed to follow in his father's footsteps.

29:00 - How Rex and Jeff spoke about the pressures they had to fulfill expectations they had as they came up with through college basketball. There's so much visibility on Reed and other high school recruits in the social media age.

35:30 - How Name, Image and Likeness has become a focal point of college athletics and how Jeff sees a changing landscape from when he starred at Kentucky.

43:00 - After talking about the experience it takes to establish a culture and to make a deep NCAA Tournament run, Jeff talks about how at 23 years old, he was ready to win another Championship.

53:00 - Comparing great Kentucky coaches, Jeff describes playing for Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith, and how both led their storied basketball careers.

58:00: Rex thinks Jeff and Immanuel Quigley are two of the most mature people to ever go through the Kentucky program

60:00: Remembering the reaction Rex got when he announced he was going to Kentucky

1:04:00: Rex remembering Jeff bring too nice at first and that he was always learning from Sheppard

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