Ben Sheppard (basketball)

Ben Sheppard
No. 26 – Indiana Pacers
PositionShooting guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2001-07-16) July 16, 2001 (age 23)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolGreater Atlanta Christian School
(Norcross, Georgia)
CollegeBelmont (2019–2023)
NBA draft2023: 1st round, 26th overall pick
Selected by the Indiana Pacers
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023–presentIndiana Pacers
2023–2024→Indiana Mad Ants
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-MVC (2023)
  • First-team All-OVC (2022)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Ben Sheppard (born July 16, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Belmont Bruins.

Early life and high school

Sheppard grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC).[1] He averaged 13.7 points per game during his junior season as GAC won the Class AAA State Championship.[2]

College career

Sheppard played in 32 games averaging 2.9 points during his freshman season at Belmont. He became a starter going into his sophomore year and averaged 10.5 points on the year.[3] Sheppard was named first team All-Ohio Valley Conference as a junior after averaging 16.2 points per game.[4] He was named first team All-Missouri Valley Conference, to which the Bruins had moved, as a senior after averaging 18.8 points per game.[5][6]

Professional career

The Indiana Pacers selected Sheppard with the 26th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.[7] On July 1, 2023, Sheppard signed his rookie contract with the Pacers alongside the 8th overall pick Jarace Walker.[8]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2023–24 Indiana 57 1 14.3 .393 .314 .885 1.6 .9 .6 .0 4.4
Career 57 1 14.3 .393 .314 .885 1.6 .9 .6 .0 4.4

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2024 Indiana 17 2 19.7 .437 .380 .778 3.0 1.0 .5 .1 5.2
Career 17 2 19.7 .437 .380 .778 3.0 1.0 .5 .1 5.2

References

  1. ^ "Greater Atlanta Christian grad Ben Sheppard earns NBA Combine invitation". Gwinnett Daily Post. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "GAC's Ben Sheppard commits to Belmont for basketball". GwinnettPrepSports.com. September 15, 2018. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  3. ^ Secrest, Landen (February 23, 2022). "Ben Sheppard is Belmont basketball's strong and silent superstar". BelmontVision.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  4. ^ Awtrey, Stan (November 28, 2022). "Greater Atlanta Christian grad Ben Sheppard shows off game in Belmont's win at Georgia State". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  5. ^ Moore, Joe (May 10, 2023). "Trail Blazers Work Out 6 NBA Draft Prospects Today". BlazersEdge.com. SB Nation. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  6. ^ Peek, Krysten (May 19, 2023). "NBA Draft Combine: 6 standouts who helped their draft stock the most". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  7. ^ "'He's a multiple-effort guy': Pacers select Ben Sheppard with 26th pick in NBA Draft". Indianapolis Star. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  8. ^ Hill, Arthur (July 1, 2023). "Pacers Sign Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved July 1, 2023.