By LARRY VAUGHT
Only seven Kentucky players have ever averaged more than two steals per game in a season, including twice by Rajon Rondo — 2.56 as a freshman and 2.03 as a sophomore.
Cliff Hawkins (2.31), Rodrick Rhodes (2.30), Kyle Macy (2.23), John Pelphrey (2.18), Reggie Hanson (2.18) and Nerlens Noel (2.08) also averaged more than two steals per game. Noel was the only one to do it during coach John Calipari’s time at UK and the best single season total by a Calipari was John Wall with 66 before Sheppard surpassed that mark.
Sheppard trails only Rondo (87) and Wayne Turner (79) on UK’s single-season steals list as he has 78 in 31 games going into Southeastern Conference play.
Here are some other notable steals marks for you:
Single game — Cason Wallace, 8, vs. Michigan State, 2022; Ashton Hagans, 8, vs. North Carolina, 2018; Rajon Rondo, 8, vs. Mississippi State, 2005; and Wayne Turner, 8, George Washington, 1997.
Single season — Rajon Rondo, 87, 2004-05; Wayne Turner, 79, 1996-97; Reed Sheppard, 78, 2023-24; Rodrick Rhodes, 76, 1993-94; Cliff Hawkins, 74, 2003-04; Rajon Rondo, 69, 2005-06; Kyle Macy, 69, 1978-79.
Career — Wayne Turner, 238, 1996-96; Tony Delk, 201, 1993-96; Cliff Hawkins, 199, 2001-04; Ed Davender, 191, 1985-88; Jared Prickett, 187, 1993-97; Anthony Epps, 184, 1994-97.