The 2022 NBA Draft will be a family affair.
This year’s draft class features several players with family ties to the NBA or WNBA. Jabari Smith Jr.’s father played in the NBA. Paolo Banchero’s mother played in the WNBA after leaving Washington as the school’s all-time leading scorer. Jaden Ivey, AJ Griffin, Johnny Davis, Mark Williams – the list goes on and on.
With so many famous names floating around, those who tune in to watch the NBA Draft on Thursday night may wonder if potential lottery pick Shaedon Sharpe has any connection to a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
The answer is…
MORE: Could Paolo Banchero have been an NFL QB?
Is Shaedon Sharpe related to Shannon Sharpe?
No, Shaedon is not related to Shannon. Shaedon’s parents are Julia Bell and Robert Sharpe, and he has two siblings, Nishayne and Amari.
Shannon, an eight-time Pro Bowl player who played tight end for the Broncos and Ravens during his NFL career, has a son and two daughters. Shannon recently shared a video on Twitter of Kiari, Kayla, and Kaley sending her a Father’s Day message.
Two hips replaced. But this is one reason why I did it. This makes it all worthwhile pic.twitter.com/hegxZzAGMT
—Shannon Sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) June 19, 2022
Why didn’t Shaedon Sharpe play for Kentucky?
Sharpe is the mystery man in this draft. The 19-year-old was ranked by ESPN, Rivals and 247 Sports as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2022 before reclassifying to the Class of 2021. He chose to attend Kentucky but never played a game for the Wildcats. .
During a pre-draft news conference, Sharpe stated that he ultimately made the decision to sit out his freshman season after discussing the situation with Kentucky coach John Calipari, his mentor, and his parents. He said that he exercised constantly and focused on “just getting better.”
“Like I said before, everything happens for a reason. So I don’t really regret it.” [not] playing,” Sharpe said. “I mean, I’m working with NBA teams now. So I guess I did something right.”
Shaedon Sharpe scouting report
Sporting News’ Kyle Irving offered this assessment of Sharpe:
- Strengths: size and length of a prototypical shooting guard, explosive jumping ability, ambidextrous driver and finisher, an impactful scorer on or off the ball
- Weaknesses: he’s not an advanced playmaker, a streaky shooter, he’s not a super active or disruptive defender
Saw Shaedon Sharpe in competitive one-on-one training today. The combination of size, length, frame, fluidity, scoring instincts and defensive versatility is unbelievably impressive. He looks like the No. 1 pick in the draft in this scenario. Talent. pic.twitter.com/cezR0sPHOK
—Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 24, 2022
NBA Mock Draft: Which Teams Could Draft Shaedon Sharpe?
Athletic’s Sam Vecenie noted that Sharpe has an “incredibly wide range on draft night,” as most teams in the No. 5 to No. 12 range have expressed interest in Sharpe. The Pistons, Pacers, Trail Blazers, Pelicans, Spurs, Wizards, Knicks and Thunder all own those picks, though it’s unclear which teams are seriously considering taking Sharpe.
In his last mock draft, Irving projected the Pistons would select Sharpe with the fifth overall pick. If he lands in Detroit, Sharpe would play alongside Cade Cunningham, who was the first player off the board in last year’s draft.
Reference-www.sportingnews.com