Friday, June 26, 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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium.

Court Hands NCAA, Conferences Win in Fight Over NIL Enforcement

Schools are still going above the revenue-sharing cap.

NBC’s John Fanta: College Hoops ‘Has Never Been Stronger’

The NBC broadcaster said the college basketball product has never been better.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

NBA Draft Highlights College Basketball’s NIL Boom

The first 20 players selected on Tuesday all played in college.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA Commissioner poses with the first pick in the 2026 NBA draft selected by the Washington Wizards, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Wizards Land Dybantsa Ahead of NBA Lottery Overhaul

Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson rounded out the top four.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

6/25/26 – Austin Reaves’s Record Deal, IOC to Pay Every Olympian, Taylor Swift’s MSG Wedding, College Eligibility Lawsuits

0:00

Featured Today

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 15, 2026

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Ai sports slop
June 5, 2026

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.

Tracy McGrady Buying 80% of ABCD as He Revives Legendary Camp

McGrady is bringing back a piece of basketball history.
June 23, 2026

Giannis Antetokounmpo Finally Traded to Miami

The Heat and Bucks struck a deal late Monday night.
June 23, 2026

Greg Olsen: NFL Franchises Interested in Hosting Tight End U

The annual summer summit is in its sixth year.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
Apr 18, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) checks Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center.
June 22, 2026

Tkachuk Is Latest Star Player on Canadian Team to Move South

The former Senators captain will now play with his older brother.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
Landon Donovan discusses the state of youth soccer with Front Office Sports.
June 18, 2026

Landon Donovan Sounds Alarm on Youth Soccer Culture

Donovan believes an early emphasis on winning has harmed youth soccer.
June 16, 2026

MLB Warns Giants Pitchers Over Writing on Pride Caps

The Giants celebrated Pride Night on Friday.