Saturday night marked a dramatic homecoming at Rupp Arena, as John Calipari returned for the first time since leaving Kentucky to take over the Arkansas Razorbacks. His new team spoiled the occasion, defeating the Wildcats 89–79 in front of a charged Lexington crowd.
But before the game even tipped off, another storyline had Kentucky fans buzzing. Former Wildcat and hometown star Reed Sheppard, now a rookie with the Houston Rockets, was spotted arriving for his NBA matchup wearing an Arkansas Razorbacks shirt—paired with Kentucky shorts. The look didn’t sit well with portions of Big Blue Nation, who viewed it as a betrayal given Sheppard’s deep roots in the program.
Asked afterward about his outfit, Sheppard explained it as a reflection of divided but sincere loyalties.
“A lot of people are not happy, but that’s my coach,” Sheppard said. “I played for Coach Cal. Kentucky shorts—I’m a Kentucky boy, I’m rooting for Kentucky. But Coach Cal is my coach, so I’m also pulling for Coach Cal.”
The mixed attire perfectly captured the complicated emotions surrounding Calipari’s return. For years, the coach was the face of Kentucky basketball, shaping the careers of dozens of players who remain loyal to him even after his departure. Sheppard’s gesture, though controversial among fans, was in line with many former Wildcats who voiced support for their old coach on his first night back in Rupp.
Not all Kentucky faithful were ready to forgive the symbolism of an Arkansas shirt inside their basketball cathedral. Social media lit up with criticism, while others defended Sheppard, noting that Calipari was instrumental in his development and rise to becoming the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Sheppard, still working to carve out a consistent role with the Rockets, finds himself balancing the pride of a Kentucky native with the gratitude of a player whose career was elevated by Calipari. On Saturday, his wardrobe choice said what words couldn’t: he’s rooting for both.
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