Jordan Shepherd (193-G-1997, college: California) is a 190cm guard from Ashville, North Carolina playing his second professional season and first with AEL Limassol (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 18,6ppg, 5,9rpg, 4,7apg and 1,4spg. Last season as a rookie he played with KFUM Uppsala (Sweden-Superettan) averaging 18.7ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.4apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 86.1%. he began his basketball career at Hope Christian Academy. He began his NCAA career at the University of Oklahoma playing 2 seasons and 59 NCAA games. He then played 2 seasons at the The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (NCAA) averaging 14.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 71.4% and in his second season averaged 11.9ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 74.1%. He closed out his NCAA career with the University of California (NCAA) averaging 15.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 79.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Jordan for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season for AEL Limassol (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League). What kind of experience has it been? What have you enjoyed most about the opportunity?

It’s been a great experience so far! I’ve enjoyed being here, living here, and playing basketball. I’ve enjoyed the basketball experience the most, just being able to be myself out on the floor and contribute to the team.

The club has won 25 titles but the last in 2009. How big do you feel is the desire to win again within the organization?

There is definitely a big desire and expectation to win within the organization. You feel it everyday when you come into practice and when we play in games. The fans are excited and they want wins just as bad as we do.

Last season as a rookie you were freezing in Sweden and this season in warm Cyprus. What do you like most about the culture?

I like how inclusive everyone here is. People are talkative and nice and go out their way to say hi. I love the food here as well.

You have upped your stats one more time from Sweden to Cyprus. How would you compare the leagues in style and ability? The first division Cyprus has been on the rise for years. Would you see it as a higher league than Sweden?

I would say the leagues style and ability are similar is some ways but different as well. In the SBL it seemed like teams wanted to play fast a lot of the time and it led to a lot of high scoring games. This league likes to slow down a little more and play with more physicality which forces everyone to have to execute game plans a little bit better. I’ve heard that this league is a higher level so I’ll just stick to what I’ve heard about it for now.

Cyprus is a league where many Americans have prospered and used as a stepping stone for higher leagues. How aware are you that this league could change your basketball life?

I am very aware of what this league can do for my career which is why I’m here but at the same time, I’ve just tried to focus on the present moment and just enjoy it and get better everyday.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

The NBA comparison that I have gotten the most in my life is CJ McCollum and Brandon Roy. I agree that we have similar games and I’ve watched and picked up so much from their games to add to mine. I’m humbled to have been compared to players of that caliber.

You can fill the stat sheet well. How big is versatility in your game?

I have always been a versatile player. I have had to play so many different roles in my basketball career that I have learned many different skills. What you see from me is usually the product of what the team needs me to be and what the coach has asked me to be.

Your three pointer continues to be a work in progress. What steps are you taking to become closer to a 40% shooter?

I am shooting 41% from 3 right now and I am looking to keep that up. For me it’s all about getting the proper amount of reps everyday and also taking the right type of 3’s during the game. In my past I have had to take some tough shots which resulted in a lower percentage but I have now refined my game a little bit so now I can take better shots from behind the arc

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I think I am a good defender but there is always room for improvement. My versatility, IQ, and athleticism helps me a lot on that side of the ball.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

I’ve just been working on staying healthy and sharpening the tools that I already have. The best ability is availability so taking care of myself has been the biggest thing. I put in the work on my game so if I stay healthy, everything else will fall into place

You played your rookie season with KFUM Uppsala (Sweden-Superettan) averaging 18.7pp), 4.3rpg, 4.4apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 86.1%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

It hit me immediately honestly. As soon as I got off the plane everything looked different. I went to stay in a hotel for a little bit and even the format of the hotel was different so it was definitely a wake-up call then.

You began your NCAA career at Oklahoma and played 2 seasons there and averaging 4,3 and 2,3ppg. What positives could you get playing for Lon Kruger? Was it a tough situation with the minutes?

Lon Kruger is a hall of fame coach. He was an offensive master-mind and he was a great player as well. There was a lot to learn from him such as how stoic he was. He never really got out of character no matter what was happening, good or bad. My 2 years there were tough but I learned a lot from it.

In your second season you were teammates with a young Trae Young. What memories do you have of him and did you know he would become such a great NBA player?

A lot of the memories that I have with Trae are us being on the court together in the beginning and middle of the season. We were able to reach being #4 in the country together and we had some really big wins while closing games together on the floor. After a couple games, it was clear that he was an NBA level talent. As the season went on, his stock started to sky rocket and it was even more clear that he would be not only an NBA player but a really good one at that.

You didn´t have many games to shine but did scoring 18 points in a win over Memphis. What do you remember from that game and was that one of your fondest moments at Oklahoma?

That game was actually my first game starting. I remember being really nervous about it but once the game started, I remembered being very comfortable and feeling like I belonged in that role and space. It was definitely one of my fondest memories being at OU.

You then played 2 seasons at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (NCAA) averaging 14.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.1apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 71.4% and 11.9ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 74.1%. How did your game grow in these 2 games and how did head coach Ron Sanchez help your game most?

Being at Charlotte helped me gain some confidence and be in a role where I could showcase my abilities a little more. The biggest thing that coach Sanchez helped in my game was my defense. I learned principles about defense that I still use to this day.

How tough were the 2 seasons due to Covid? You performed very well and had many great games like scoring 27 points against Valpo. What was your fondest memory there?

Covid messed up a lot, not only for me but for everyone in the world. I thought our first season together we had a good chance of making the NCAA tournament by winning our conference championship. To not be able to play in our tournament because of Covid wasn’t a great feeling. We lost a lot of our team for the upcoming year due to transfers and seniors graduating. The next year was even more difficult because the team was unfamiliar, games were always getting cancelled and we couldn’t have fans. My fondest memory of playing there was when we beat Wake Forest at home.

You played one more season at the University of California (NCAA) averaging 15.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 79.0%. You had many great games there and showed you could play in the PAC 12. You had 33 points against Orgenon and 28 points against Stanford allowing only 39 points. How crazy was that Stanford game?

The Stanford game was wild. It was senior night for us and Stanford is our rival. There was so many people at the game including my family, who came all the way from North Carolina to be there, Jason Kidd, Jerome Randall, and so many other notable people. It was an incredible and fun game to be a part of.

How did head coach Mark Fox give you the last push to groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Fox did so much for me. He coached me hard and really believed in me. He allowed me to be myself which was the first time I had experienced that in my college career. It changed the perspective of me as a player in the eyes of my peers and scouts. Coach Fox along with his staff helped me tremendously and I am forever grateful for them.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Joel Brown?

Me lol. JB is my brother and probably the best defender I have ever played with but 1 on 1 is my thing, it’s my type of game. I don’t really lose in that setting.

Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Frank Mason. My freshman year, he was national player of the year in college.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Kameron Mcgusty, Cooper Robb, Regin Larson, Joel Brown, Jalen Celestine, Jared Hyder. (I know it’s 6 but I couldn’t leave any of these guys out)

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

MJ, Kobe, Bron, and Steph Curry

Who is your GOAT and why?

Kobe is my GOAT. I grew up the biggest Kobe fan there was. The way he played both sides of the ball and the things I got to witness him do in terms of scoring, it made him the goat in my eyes.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Should they have left it alone?

I did not see the sequel to Coming to America. I am not a fan of sequel especially for classics lol.

Thanks Jordan for the chat.