Winston Shepard

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Winston Shepard

| image = Winston Shepard FT.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Shepard with the San Diego State Aztecs in 2014

| position = Forward

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 8

| weight_lb = 210

| league = Road to BAL

| team = FUS Rabat

| number = 24

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|9|22}}

| birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.

| highschool = {{nowrap|Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nevada)}}

| college = San Diego State (2012–2016)

| draft_year = 2016

| career_start = 2016

| years1 = 2016–2017

| team1 = Alba Fehérvár

| years2 = 2017–2018

| team2 = Santa Cruz Warriors

| years3 = 2018

| team3 = Canterbury Rams

| years4 = 2018

| team4 = Maccabi Ashdod

| years5 = 2018–2019

| team5 = Westports Malaysia Dragons

| years6 = 2020

| team6 = Rayos de Hermosillo

| years7 = 2020–2021

| team7 = Atomerőmű SE

| years8 = 2021

| team8 = Titanes del Distrito Nacional

| years9 = 2021–2022

| team9 = BC Odesa

| years10 = 2022

| team10 = Southland Sharks

| years11 = 2023

| team11 = Macau Black Bears

| years12 = 2023–present

| team12 = FUS Rabat

| highlights =

New Zealand NBL All-Star Five (2018)
Hungarian League champion (2017)
Hungarian Cup winner (2017)
2× Second-team All-MWC (2015, 2016)
MWC All-Defensive Team (2016)

}}

Winston Shepard III (born September 22, 1993) is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for San Diego State, where he was a two-time second-team All-Mountain West Conference honoree.

High school career

Shepard attended Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada. As a senior, he led the team to a 32–1 record and No. 2 ranking by USA Today. Findlay ended up winning the ESPNHS National High School Invitational title. He committed to San Diego State wanting "so bad," he said, to become the greatest recruit to ever sign with the school.{{cite news|last1=Estes|first1=Ben|title=Winston Shepard's versatility could be San Diego State's key to March|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2014-03-07/winston-shepard-san-diego-state-aztecs-basketball-ncaa-tournament-march-madness|accessdate=May 1, 2015|work=The Sporting News|date=March 8, 2014}} 247Sports.com listed him as the 33rd best recruit in his class.{{cite web|title=2012 Basketball Top Recruits|url=https://247sports.com/Season/2012-Basketball/CompositeRecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool|website=247Sports.com|access-date=May 1, 2015}} Rivals.com, meanwhile, ranked Shepard as the 21st best player.{{cite news|last1=Zeigler|first1=Mark|title=SDSU's Shepard returns for senior year|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/apr/23/sdsu-basketball-winston-shepard-return-senior/|accessdate=July 21, 2015|work=San Diego Union-Tribune|date=April 23, 2015}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Winston Shepard

| position = SF

| hometown = Fresno, TX

| highschool = Findlay College Prep

| feet = 6

| inches = 8

| weight = 207

| 40 =

| commitdate = 02/16/2012

| scout stars = 4

| rivals stars = 5

| espn grade = 94

}}

College career

File:Winston Shepard 01.JPG

Shepard was suspended the first three games of his freshman year due to receiving improper recruiting benefits. He admitted to not being fulling engaged while playing. His best game was an 18-point outing against UNLV.{{cite news|last1=Kahn|first1=Andrew|title=Rising Star: San Diego State Forward Winston Shepard|url=http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/01/13/rising-star-san-diego-state-forward-winston-shepard/|accessdate=July 21, 2015|work=CBS Philadelphia|date=January 13, 2014}} As a freshman, Shepard averaged 5.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists in 20.3 minutes of play.{{cite web|title=Winston Shepard Bio|url=http://www.goaztecs.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/winston_shepard_799953.html|website=San Diego State Aztecs|publisher=San Diego State University|accessdate=May 1, 2015}}

Shepard was again suspended for one game in his sophomore season because he violated team rules. In the Aztecs' win over McNeese State on December 21, 2013, he scored seven straight points to ensure a victory. On December 28, he had a career-high 21 points in an 83-point rout of St. Katherine College.{{cite news|title=No. 20 San Diego State demolishes St. Katherine College by 83|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400505535|access-date=May 6, 2015|work=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|date=December 28, 2013}} As a sophomore, Shepard averaged 11.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He started 34 of the team's 36 games. Ben Estes of The Sporting News wrote that "Shepard is able to do nearly everything, and that is especially true on defense, where his aptitude for matching up with almost any opposing player is a big boon to the Aztecs' swarming, stifling unit."

Coming into his junior season, C.L. Brown of ESPN commented that "his outside shooting could keep him from being a potential All-American and Mountain West Player of the Year candidate."{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=C.L.|title=Shepard next in line for Aztecs, Fisher|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/99278/shepard-next-in-line-for-aztecs|access-date=May 1, 2015|work=ESPN|date=June 11, 2014}} He was named second-team All-Mountain West as a junior.{{cite news|last=Southorn|first=Dave|title=Mountain West media unanimously picks Marks player of the year, Rice top coach|date=March 8, 2015|newspaper=The Idaho Statesman|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/03/08/3684786_mountain-west-media-unanimously.html?rh=1|accessdate=April 29, 2015}} He led the team with 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Following the season, Shepard decided to turn down a possible selection in the 2015 NBA draft and return to school for his senior campaign.{{cite news|last1=Posner|first1=Ryan|title=Winston Shepard Says No to NBA, Will Return to SDSU|url=http://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2015/04/24/winston-shepard-says-no-to-nba-will-return-to-sdsu/|accessdate=May 1, 2015|work=The Times of San Diego|date=April 24, 2015}} He claimed he needed to work on free throw shooting and finishing around the rim. "I have a chance to be part of something that can really, really be special, whatever special is," said Shepard of his decision to come back.

In 37 games as a senior in 2015–16, Shepard averaged career highs with 11.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/winston-shepard-1.html|title=Winston Shepard College Stats|work=sports-reference.com|accessdate=April 8, 2018}}

Professional career

=Alba Fehérvár (2016–2017)=

Shepard went undrafted at the 2016 NBA draft, but played in the 2016 NBA Summer League with the Golden State Warriors. On August 28, 2016, Shepard signed with Hungarian team Alba Fehérvár.{{cite web|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/europe/hungary/210605/alba-fehervar-inks-rookie-winston-shepard.html|title=Alba Fehervar inks rookie Winston Shepard|work=sportando.basketball|date=August 28, 2016|accessdate=April 8, 2018}} He helped the team win the Hungarian Cup title and the Hungarian League championship. In 43 league games, he averaged 11.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He also appeared in 12 FIBA Europe Cup games, averaging 10.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

=Santa Cruz Warriors (2017–2018)=

Shepard participated in the 2017 NBA Summer League with the Atlanta Hawks. On December 21, 2017, Shepard was acquired by the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA G League.{{cite web|url=http://santacruz.gleague.nba.com/news/warriors-acquire-winston-shepard-returning-rights-markus-kennedy-via-trade|title=Warriors Acquire Winston Shepard and Returning Rights to Markus Kennedy Via Trade|work=NBA.com|date=December 21, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017}} In 19 games for the Warriors, he averaged 9.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/s/shepawi01d.html|title=Winston Shepard G-League Stats|work=basketball-reference.com|accessdate=April 8, 2018}}

=Canterbury Rams (2018)=

In April 2018, Shepard signed with the Canterbury Rams for the 2018 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web|url=http://rams.org.nz/canterbury-rams-press-release-8-4-2018/|title=CANTERBURY RAMS PRESS RELEASE- 8/4/2018|work=Rams.org.nz|date=April 8, 2018|accessdate=April 8, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://rams.org.nz/rams-announce-roster-additions/|title=RAMS ANNOUNCE XAVIER THAMES, WINSTON SHEPARD & TROY TEMARA AS ROSTER ADDITIONS|work=Rams.org.nz|date=April 13, 2018|accessdate=April 14, 2018}} He was named Player of the Week for Round 4.{{cite web|url=http://www.nznbl.basketball/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-National-Basketball-League-Media-Guide-Round-Five.pdf|title=2018 National Basketball League Media Guide Round Five|work=nznbl.basketball|accessdate=May 24, 2018}} In 18 games, he averaged 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=204797003&client=11-8336-151868-486261-26179686|title=Player statistics for Winston Shepard III|work=SportsTG.com|accessdate=July 29, 2018}}

=Mornar / Maccabi Ashdod (2018)=

On July 21, 2018, Shepard signed with Montenegrin team Mornar.{{cite web|url=https://www.aba-liga.com/news.php?id=40397|title=Mornar keep Mićović and sign contracts with 3 American players|work=aba-liga.com|date=July 21, 2018|accessdate=July 21, 2018}} He left Mornar before appearing in a game.

On October 11, 2018, Shepard signed a one-month deal with Israeli team Maccabi Ashdod as an injury cover for Mark Tollefsen.{{cite web|url=http://basket.co.il/news.asp?id=19426|title=ווינסטון שפרד חתם באשדוד לחודש|work=basket.co.il|date=October 11, 2018|accessdate=October 11, 2018|language=he}} In six games for Ashdod, he averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

=Westports Malaysia Dragons (2018–2020)=

On December 6, 2018, Shepard signed with the Westports Malaysia Dragons of the ASEAN Basketball League.{{cite web|url=http://aseansports.com/index.php/2018/12/06/westports-malaysia-dragons-signs-replacement-import/|title=Westports Malaysia Dragons Sign Replacement Import|work=aseansports.com|date=December 6, 2018|accessdate=December 10, 2018}}

=Rayos de Hermosillo (2020)=

In March 2020, Shephard played four games in Mexico for Rayos de Hermosillo.{{cite news|url=https://www.gradanorte.mx/noticias/5011-rayos-de-hermosillo-tendra-plantel-renovado-para-defender-titulo.html|title=Rayos de Hermosillo tendrá plantel renovado para defender título|publisher=gradanorte.mx|first=José Francisco|last=Arredondo|date=March 3, 2020|accessdate=May 4, 2020|language=Spanish}} The season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|url=http://lacolumnadeviveros.com.mx/vernoticias.php?artid=22282&cat=4#.XrDhNpNKhQI|title=Rayos tuvo un comienzo arrollador|publisher=El Imparcial|date=March 27, 2020|accessdate=May 4, 2020|language=Spanish}} He averaged 18.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game.

=Atomerőmű SE (2020–2021)=

On June 30, 2020, Shepard signed with Atomerőmű SE of the Hungarian NB I/A.{{cite web |title=Atomeromu tabs Winston Shepard, ex Hermosillo |url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Hungary/news/633231/Atomeromu-tabs-Winston-Shepard |website=Eurobasket |accessdate=October 15, 2020 |date=June 30, 2020}}

=Titanes del Distrito Nacional (2021)=

In August 2021, Shepard had a five-game stint with Titanes del Distrito Nacional of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto.{{cite web |title=Peña llevó a los Soles a un triunfo sobre Titanes |url=https://lnb.com.do/index.php/2021/08/15/pena-llevo-a-los-soles-a-un-triunfo-sobre-titanes/ |website=Liga Nacional de Baloncesto |access-date=September 28, 2021 |language=Spanish |date=August 15, 2021}}

=BC Odesa (2021–2022)=

Between December 2021 and February 2022, Shepard played in Ukraine for BC Odesa.{{cite web |title=Winston Shepard |url=https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Winston-Shepard/266371 |website=eurobasket.com |access-date=May 6, 2022}}

=Southland Sharks (2022)=

On May 6, 2022, Shepard signed with the Southland Sharks for the rest of the 2022 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web |title=Shepard to return to NZNBL with Sharks |url=https://www.sharksbasketball.co.nz/single-post/shepard-to-return-to-nznbl-with-sharks |website=sharksbasketball.co.nz |date=May 6, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2022}}

=Macau Black Bears (2023)=

In January 2023, Shepard played one game for the Macau Black Bears in the 2023 ABL season.{{cite web |title=Eastern stay undefeated with gutsy win over Black Bears, Louvre get first win |url=https://abl.basketball/news/eastern-stay-undefeated-with-gutsy-win-over-black-bears-louvre-get-first-win/ |website=abl.basketball |date=January 5, 2023 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |quote=The Black Bears were the first team to make a major change in the 2023 ABL Invitational, with former Saigon Heat import player Deangelo Hamilton rostered in for Winston Shepard in this game.}}

= FUS Rabat (2023) =

In October 2023, Shepard made his debut for FUS Rabat of the Division Excellence. He also played for FUS in the Road to BAL tournament.{{Cite web |title=F.U.S de Rabat at the Africa Champions Clubs ROAD TO B.A.L. 2024 2023 |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/africaleague/2024/qualifiers/team/Fath-Union-Sport |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=FIBA.basketball |language=en}}