Aisha Sheppard Explained

Aisha Sheppard
Number:4
League:WNBA
Position:Guard
Height Ft:5
Height In:9
Birth Date:13 November 1998
Birth Place:Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
High School:St. John's College
(Washington, D.C.)
College:
Draft League:WNBA
Draft Year:2022
Draft Round:2
Draft Pick:23
Draft Team:Las Vegas Aces
Career Start:2022
Team1:Las Vegas Aces
Highlights:

Aisha Sheppard (born November 13, 1998) is an American professional basketball player. In 2022, she was drafted by and played for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. She currently plays for the Mexican team ADELITAS. She played college basketball at Virginia Tech.

College career

Sheppard came out of high school as the Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington, D.C., as well as the 34th rated recruit of the 2017 Class per ESPN's HoopGurlz rankings.[1]

During Sheppard's freshman year, she became known as a 3-point sharpshooter. She led the team with 76 3-pointers made during the year.[2] On February 22, 2018, Sheppard rained in 7 3-pointers vs. Notre Dame - which tied the program record for most 3's in a game.[3]

Sheppard began her sophomore campaign doing similar things as her freshman year - being a shooter. She continued her be a sniper from outside knocking down 59 threes this year to move into 8th place All-Time in program history. Sheppard scored 17 points against 13th rank Miami on February 21, to give the Hokies a signature win.[4]

During her junior year, Sheppard moved into the starting lineup full-time and averaged double digits for the first time in her career. Sheppard averaged 14.8 points and 3.1 rebounds. Once again, she proved to be one of the best shooters in the ACC, as well as the NCAA.[5] She finished behind Dana Evans in both percentage and 3-pointer made per game. Sheppard was named to the All-ACC Second Team for her outstanding year.[6]

Sheppard continued her upward trend into her senior year, once again starting all the games for the Hokies. She averaged 17.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.[7] On January 28, 2021, Sheppard helped led the Hokies to a win over #2 NC State. She scored 28 points to help the Hokies to Virginia Tech's high ever AP ranked win.[8]

After graduating from Virginia Tech, Sheppard decided to use her extra-COVID year of eligibility and return to the Hokies for one more year.[9] Sheppard cemented her status on one of the best 3-point shooters in ACC History on February 13, 2022, when she passed AD's ACC record for career 3-point field goals made with 375.[10] Sheppard was named to the All-ACC Second Team once again this year.[11]

Sheppard finished her career as the program's All-Time Leading Scorer with 1,883 points, as well as taking over the ACC 3-Point Record for Makes with 402.[12]

College statistics

YearTeamGPPointsFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2017–18Virginia Tech37308.389.374.7431.61.20.80.48.3
2018–19Virginia Tech34252.379.378.8251.91.50.70.37.4
2019–20Virginia Tech30443.387.370.7723.11.61.20.114.8
2020–21Virginia Tech25442.382.354.8422.73.01.10.117.7
2021–22Virginia Tech33438.394.387.8893.32.60.70.213.3
Career1591883.387.372.8212.51.90.90.211.8

WNBA career

Las Vegas Aces

In the 2022 WNBA draft, Sheppard was taken 23rd overall by the Las Vegas Aces.[13] Sheppard appeared in 23 games for the Aces during her rookie season and was a part of their 2022 WNBA Championship run.

Sheppard was waived by the Aces during training camp prior to the 2023 season.[14]

WNBA career statistics

Denotes seasons in which Sheppard won a WNBA championship

Regular season

|-|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| 2022| align="left" | Las Vegas| 23 || 0 || 7.6 || .238 || .273 || .750 || 0.6 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 0.3 || 1.5|-| align="left" | Career| align="left" | 1 year, 1 team| 23 || 0 || 7.6 || .238 || .273 || .750 || 0.6 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 0.3 || 1.5

Playoffs

|-|style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"| 2022| align="left" | Las Vegas| 4 || 0 || 4.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.8 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.0|-| align="left" | Career| align="left" | 1 year, 1 team| 4 || 0 || 4.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.8 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.5 || 0.0

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2017 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - espnW 100 . . ESPN . May 6, 2022.
  2. Web site: Aisha Sheppard . wnba.com . WNBA . May 6, 2022.
  3. Web site: Virginia Tech vs. Notre Dame . hokiesports.com . VT Athletics . May 6, 2022.
  4. Web site: Virginia Tech upsets No. 14 Miami women 73-65 . ESPN.com . May 6, 2022.
  5. Web site: 2019-2020 Women's Basketball Overall Statistics . theacc.com . ACC Conference . May 6, 2022.
  6. Web site: 2019-2020 All-ACC Women's Basketball Teams Announced . theacc.com . 2 March 2020 . ACC . May 6, 2022.
  7. Web site: 2020-21 Women's Basketball Cumulative Statistics . hokiesports.com . VT Athletics . May 6, 2022.
  8. Web site: Virginia Tech women upset No. 2 NC State 83-71 in OT . clickondetroit.com . 28 January 2021 . Associated Press . May 6, 2022.
  9. Web site: Aisha Sheppard returning to Virginia Tech for one final year . Roanoke.com . 29 March 2021 . Roanoke Times . May 6, 2022.
  10. Web site: Ward . Zack . Around the NCAAW Weekly: Aisha Sheppard is the new ACC sharpshooter queen . swishappeal.com . 16 February 2022 . Swish Appeal . May 6, 2022.
  11. Web site: ACC Women's Basketball Announces 2021-22 Award Winners . theacc.com . March 2022 . ACC . May 6, 2022.
  12. Web site: Aisha Sheppard . hokiesports.com . VT Athletics . May 6, 2022.
  13. Web site: Regal . Patrick . Hokie Aisha Sheppard Chosen in WNBA Draft . fightinggobbler.com . 12 April 2022 . Fansided . May 6, 2022.
  14. Web site: Aces Waive Davis, Range, Sheppard . aces.wnba.com . WNBA . 13 May 2023.