Live updates: Dillingham, Edwards and Sheppard officially announced as future UK players

The early signing period for college basketball players in the class of 2023 is now here, which means official confirmations are pouring in from around the country as the top prep players submit paperwork to their future college homes.

For the Kentucky men’s basketball program, this means four players who have provided commitments to the Wildcats are expected to soon be officially unveiled as future Wildcats.

The current list of incoming players for UK in the class of 2023 is: Aaron Bradshaw, Robert Dillingham, Justin Edwards and Reed Sheppard.

All these players are eligible to officially sign with Kentucky from Wednesday, Nov. 9, until Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Over the next few days, Kentucky will confirm that these players have followed through on their word to officially commit to John Calipari’s program, which is already off to a 1-0 start this season.

Here’s an updating tracker of which players have been formally announced as incoming players by Kentucky, which currently has the No. 2 recruiting class in the country behind Duke.

Justin Edwards

The third player announced by Kentucky as part of its 2023 recruiting class was Justin Edwards on Thursday night.

The 6-7, 180-pound small forward has standout athleticism and first committed to the Cats in late July.

Edwards is ranked as the No. 2 player in the class of 2023, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Less than one month after committing to Kentucky this summer, Edwards was part of the showcase Under Armour Next Elite 24 event in Chicago, where the Herald-Leader spoke extensively to Edwards about what led to him choosing Kentucky, and what Calipari and the UK coaching staff have planned for him in the near future.

“Shooting quicker, being a better shooter. I’m a streaky shooter. If I’m going, I’m going,” Edwards said of what he needs to improve before college. “Getting stronger and my right hand. I feel like that’s what’s been holding me back a little bit.”

Securing Edwards’ commitment was a significant accomplishment for Calipari in this recruiting cycle.

Tennessee was a significant presence in Edwards’ recruitment, and the ability to win a recruiting battle against a top conference rival is always a plus.

Edwards committed to UK just one day after Peach Jam, the renowned summer Nike EYBL event, concluded.

While at Peach Jam, Edwards gave UK fans a good feel for what they can expect at the college level.

He was a first-team selection at Peach Jam, averaging 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.2 assists while playing for Team Final.

Robert Dillingham

The second player announced by Kentucky as part of its 2023 recruiting class was Robert Dillingham on Wednesday evening.

The 6-2, 165-pound point guard recently changed situations for his final pre-college season.

Dillingham had to look for a new place to play following the recent shutdown of Donda Academy, which was founded by Ye (the music artist formerly known as Kanye West), who has been at the center of controversy stemming from recent antisemitic comments.

The solution?

Dillingham signed a contract with the Overtime Elite professional basketball league (OTE) for his senior season of high school. Dillingham’s deal with OTE will allow him to make money through name, image and likeness opportunities, while maintaining his NCAA eligibility.

Dillingham gave his initial commitment to Kentucky in late June, after previously being committed to North Carolina State.

He represents a shifty scoring option in the backcourt for UK next season.

“You’re talking about a top-10 type of player. He’s an extremely dynamic scoring guard. He is as good of a shotmaker as anyone in the country,” 247Sports analyst Travis Branham previously told the Herald-Leader about Dillingham. “If he can continue to improve his playmaking and show an improved ability on the defensive end, you’re talking about a top-10 type of player who is going to be an instant-impact guy on the offensive end of the floor.”

Reed Sheppard

The first player announced by Kentucky as part of the Wildcats’ 2023 recruiting class was Sheppard, an in-state recruit, on Wednesday afternoon.

The 6-3, 170-pound combo guard from North Laurel High School in London is a longtime UK commit, having revealed his intentions to sign with UK back in November 2021.

Sheppard is the son of two former Wildcats basketball greats: Jeff Sheppard and Stacey Reed Sheppard.

Sheppard — who is ranked as the No. 29 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite — has become a key recruiter himself for Kentucky since he chose to follow in his parents’ footsteps.

During a youth basketball camp that Sheppard hosted in Pikeville on Oct. 22, Sheppard said he was comfortable in the role of trying to help lure talented basketball peers to Kentucky.

“I’m very comfortable (in a recruiting role),” Sheppard said. “That was one of the things the coaches talked to me about. ‘You can be as big of a recruiter for these players as we are. They like talking to you more than they like talking to us, they don’t want to be on 30-minute phone calls with us. Just keep doing what you’re doing. It means a lot to them, you just don’t know it.’”

UK women’s basketball adds first class of 2023 player

The Kentucky women’s basketball team entered the early signing period with only one player having committed to the Wildcats, but all the official business has already been completed to make Jordy Griggs a Wildcat.

Griggs — a 6-2 wing from California who plays high school basketball at Montverde Academy in Florida — posted on social media on Oct. 21 that she would be joining the Wildcats next season.

UK officially announced her addition Wednesday morning.

Griggs, who plays for Club Durant on the Nike EYBL circuit, is ranked as a four-star prospect by ESPN.

The UK women’s basketball team already has 10 new players this season — six freshmen and four transfers — and won its season opener against Radford on Monday night.