2023 NBA Mock Draft: Trail Blazers get future star, Magic surprise at 6
By Tyler Watts
28. Utah Jazz (via 76ers) select Ben Sheppard
The Jazz have three first-rounders, and talks of them packaging this pick with 16 to move up are heating up. Utah would like to get into the top ten, and several teams in that area are said to be looking to sell. It is impossible to say which team will be making this selection, but everyone is looking for a quality shooter.
Sheppard is a 6’5 guard with a 6’8 wingspan that boosted his stock tremendously at the combine. The 21-year-old improved his 3-point percentage in each of his college seasons, including shooting 41.5 percent as a senior. There were questions about his competition, which is why it was massive for him to show up at the combine and knock down shots.
Sheppard is an elite shooter off the catch, who also excels off movement. He competes hard on both ends of the floor, but his shot-making is what will make him a first-round draft pick.
Can he hold up defensively in the NBA? The Utah Jazz can afford to gamble on a 3-and-D wing even if he does not have tremendous upside. Teams always want that skill set, so blossoming into a sharpshooter would be enough to give him positive value. The Jazz add to their wing depth with their third first-round pick in this mock draft.