Sheppard selects UCF

Donnie Jones and the UCF basketball coaching staff have struck again, landing another top target in the Class of 2016.

The latest to join the group is Jeremy Sheppard, a point guard from Richmond, Va., who attends John Marshall High School and competes with the Team Loaded AAU program.

His final four also included Missouri State, Old Dominion and UNC-Wilmington and other offers included Cincinnati, East Carolina and Xavier. He visited UCF last weekend.

Excited to announce that i will be attending the University Of Central Florida 🔱⚫️ #UCF #GoKnights pic.twitter.com/dBz0StObr3- juice #2 ❌™ (@jsheppard_2) September 27, 2015

"When I was taking all my visits, I took notes of everything, all the little things and big things," Sheppard said. "Coach Jones, I believed in him. I really took to the game plan he had for me. He says I could come in and make an impact right away and that I'd be able to play as a freshman. Coach Christian (Webster) too. I really built a good relationship with all the coaches. It's a real good fit for me."

He revealed his choice in a tweet shortly after 4 p.m.

"Right before I put (the decision) on Twitter, I called Coach Jones on FaceTime with my family," Sheppard said. "I think my friends had already figured out it was UCF, but I kind of told him and my friends all together. Coach Jones told me he was really excited."

Sheppard has the versatility to play both guard spots. He identifies more as a point guard, saying he's played there his entire life, but started as a two guard for his AAU team.

"Coach Jones compared me to Jason Williams and Stephen Curry put together," Sheppard said. "I can facilitate and still get off shots and score the ball. I can do both things as a point guard. That's what I always try to do - set up everyone else, be a leader and also score to help the team win."

Besides the coaching staff, what else stood out about UCF?

"The campus was really nice," Sheppard said. "I also have family down there. I have a cousin from Florida. We actually share the same birthday. I don't have a problem going to Florida even though it's kind of far from home. It's kind of like a second home. I've been there lots of times. It's real nice."

During his visit, Sheppard hung around the most with Chad Brown, Chance McSpadden, Tacko Fall and B.J. Taylor. He didn't play any pick-up games, but did take shots with the guys on the practice court.

Sheppard is UCF's third pledge for 2016, joining Clayton Hughes and Brachen Hazen who had also committed in recent weeks. The early signing period begins in mid-November.

"My goal for next year is to be the Freshman Player of the Year for my conference," Sheppard said. "That's a major goal and everything else will take off from there."