Ben Sheppard 2023 NBA Draft Profile for the Cleveland Cavaliers
By Tony Camino
Ben Sheppard’s offensive skill set
Most notably, Ben Sheppard is a pure spot-up shooter. He converts 40% of his catch-and-shoot attempts and knocks down nearly 50% of his uncontested looks. One of his greatest strengths is his exceptional off-ball play and effectiveness when coming off screens. Sheppard shoots over 40% on shots off screens and displays comfort shooting over defenders in common NBA actions. His basketball IQ is evident in his ability to read the play and relocate to the right areas. This pro-level shooting prowess would be a perfect complement to players like Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, greatly benefiting Cleveland’s spacing.
As a former high school point guard, Sheppard’s late bloomer status enhances his playmaking ability. He is comfortable creating within the flow of the offense and can occasionally handle the ball in pick-and-roll situations if needed. His high basketball IQ translates into smart passing decisions, leading to easy scoring opportunities for his teammates.
However, Sheppard’s offensive game is limited by his athleticism. Standing at 6’6″, his lack of strength often results in his shots getting blocked more frequently than they should. He struggles to explode vertically through defenders, leading to heavily contested shots at the rim.
To complete his skill set, Sheppard would greatly benefit from adding some muscle and working on his finishing ability at the rim. Now, let’s shift our focus to his defensive capabilities.