One-on-one with Shaedon Sharpe

Krysten Peek sits down with the Kentucky shooting guard to discuss his expectations for college basketball, being the No. 1 player in high school and more.

Video transcript

KRYSTEN PEEK: I'm Krysten Peek, here with the number one player in the country, Shaedon Sharpe. We are at the Border League in Las Vegas. Shaedon, there's some great competition here at the Border League. What was it like to be out on the court and going up against some guys that I know you know from AAU ball and such.

SHAEDON SHARPE: Oh it was amazing playing with the top players in the class, and just clashing heads and just going at it, really competing. So it was fun.

KRYSTEN PEEK: You went from unranked to now the number one player in the country. I know I saw you last year. And I thought that you were way underrated. But what was your reaction when you saw Emoni Bates reclassed, Jalen Duren reclassed, and now you're the number one player?

SHAEDON SHARPE: At first I was surprised. But with all the hard work I put in, I'd be surprised if I wasn't number one.

KRYSTEN PEEK: At Peach Jam, I was watching a game. And sitting on the side were Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. What was it like to play in front of them and have, as you had, an awesome game that game?

SHAEDON SHARPE: It was a great experience, playing in front of LeBron James and Carmelo. It was just an amazing experience, really competing and going at it.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Also at Peach Jam, NBA scouts. This is the first year that they were able to come in and watch you guys. What were you hoping to show the NBA scouts that were in the building?

SHAEDON SHARPE: Just really that I'm a dog, and I can play at the highest level. And mostly, it was just creating space and sitting down and locking in on defense. So that's how I wanted to showcase myself the most.

KRYSTEN PEEK: And I know there's a chance you could enroll early at Kentucky. You're still making that decision up. But what excites you the most about playing college basketball?

SHAEDON SHARPE: Oh, man. Just the fans and the energy, and just playing amongst the greatest out there. And just playing and competing, really.

KRYSTEN PEEK: When you look at Coach Cal and the success he's had with guards, specifically, getting multiple players to the NBA-- what are you most looking forward to learning from him and the coaching staff and getting better?

SHAEDON SHARPE: Just trying to take in all the info that he gives his players. I've seen him do it with DB and all his guards. So, I'll just be taking in all the info.

KRYSTEN PEEK: And you are one of the most fun players to watch. You're one of the best dunkers in transition. And I've seen guys throw lobs up. I was like, no way he's getting that. And you grabbed it. Do you remember the first time you dunked a basketball?

SHAEDON SHARPE: Probably in the ninth grade. Yeah.

KRYSTEN PEEK: What was it? What kind of dunk was it?

SHAEDON SHARPE: It was just a little put back, not too much.

KRYSTEN PEEK: You are a dynamic shooter and you have so much in your bag, like painting blocks on the backboard. What NBA players do you watch a lot of and try to emulate in your game?

SHAEDON SHARPE: It's a lot of Bradley Beal and Devin Booker.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Those are the two? Why those two?

SHAEDON SHARPE: I jsut feel like I play a lot like them. So--

KRYSTEN PEEK: All right. Well, Shaedon, thank you so much for the time. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. For more information on Shaedon Sharpe, keep it right here on rivals.com.