Monday, April 13, 2026

Kentucky Guard with Zero Minutes Could Become $5M Lottery Pick

  • Shaedon Sharpe is projected as high as a top-5 pick, which would pay at least $5M his rookie season.
  • The highly recruited guard logged zero minutes his freshman year.
The Courier-Journal

Shaedon Sharpe missed his freshman year at Kentucky and has played zero minutes in college — but he’s still expected to be a lottery pick after declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Sharpe announced his plans to enter the draft while maintaining his college eligibility — which runs out on June 1.

The 6-6 guard is projected as the No. 6 pick by ESPN, and his draft stock increased due to his sheer potential. 

He made ESPN’s top-100 recruits after dominating play last summer on the Nike EYBL circuit, where he averaged 22.6 points and 5.8 rebounds on 36.1% three-point shooting. 

By the 2021-22 NBA rookie scale, he would make roughly $5.4 million in his first year if picked sixth — and $17.1 million through the first three years of his deal. The top pick stands to make $9.1 million in the first year and $28.3M through three years.

The 18-year-old from Ontario is already earning: Sharpe struck an NIL deal with sneaker community SoleSavy in late January.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 22, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Reyna Scott (1) celebrates after time expires against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC Yum! Center

UVA Shows Anyone Can Win in Women’s Basketball—at a Price

Ohanian’s millions set a blueprint for winning in the NCAA.
Senate Capitol Hill

The Biggest Obstacle to a Bipartisan College Sports Bill

Democrats favor collective bargaining as a potential solution.

Frank Thomas Hits White Sox, Nike, and Fanatics With NIL Lawsuit

Thomas claims the companies have sold his jerseys without consent.
Feb 20, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) drives against Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (7) during the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena.

The Worst NBA Teams Are in an All-Time Tank War

The NBA’s three worst teams have lost 39 straight games.

Featured Today

Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.
April 4, 2026

Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.

WNBA Free Agency Tracker: Welcome to the Million-Dollar Era

The supermax deal is worth $1.4 million per year.
exclusive
April 9, 2026

Sky, Sparks Close to Ariel Atkins–Rickea Jackson Trade

Atkins can sign a deal with the Sparks worth $1.19 million.
April 10, 2026

Pile of Famous Athletes Quietly Invested in Kalshi Months Ago

WNBA stars Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart are among the group.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) walks on to the court before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center
April 8, 2026

Mavericks Tell Lakers ‘No Error’ in Austin Reaves MRI

The Lakers coach accused Dallas’s medical staff of scanning “the wrong area.”
Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tiger Woods reacts to his putt on the 16th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament.
April 7, 2026

Masters Stars Feel Unprecedented Absence of Tiger and Phil

This is the first Masters since 1994 without both Woods and Mickelson.
April 7, 2026

Can the Dream Capitalize on Angel Reese’s Popularity?

Reese’s trade from Chicago to Atlanta is making an impact.
April 6, 2026

Patrick Reed: Golf Apparel Free Agency ‘Been Fun’ After LIV Exit

The 2018 Masters champion is starting to sign new deals.