NBA Comparison: Ish Smith / Eric Maynor

Strengths: A poised, mature lead guard with four years of college experience, Hepburn brings strong command of the halfcourt and a high basketball IQ … He thrived as Louisville’s primary initiator, posting 16.4 points and 5.8 assists per game while maintaining a nearly 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio … Operates with control and patience, especially in pick-and-roll sets where he consistently reads the floor and finds teammates … Possesses clean shooting mechanics and soft touch from mid-range and the line, where he hit 84.4% of his free throws … While his three-point percentage (32.8%) remains a work in progress, he showed increased confidence in spot-up situations … Defensively, Hepburn is one of the more tenacious guards in the class … His 2.4 steals per game reflect quick hands, excellent anticipation, and consistent effort … Despite being undersized, he competes hard on every possession and brings vocal leadership and toughness … Smart, instinctive player who plays to his strengths and shows genuine floor general qualities.

Weaknesses: Undersized at 6’1” with a 6’4” wingspan and average athleticism … Lacks elite burst or vertical pop, which limits his ability to blow by defenders or finish over length at the rim … Not a dynamic shot creator in isolation … Relies more on craft and control than explosiveness, which may cap his ceiling as a scorer at the next level … While he shows promise as a shooter, he remains inconsistent from three and will need to improve his range to keep defenders honest … Only 32.8% from deep despite clean mechanics … Can be pressured into turnovers by longer, more athletic guards, especially when forced to operate outside of his comfort zone … May struggle to defend bigger NBA guards due to his size, even with effort and anticipation … Needs to show he can adjust to the speed and length of the pro game without elite tools.

Outlook: Hepburn enters the 2025 NBA Draft as a seasoned, battle-tested guard who could carve out a role as a steady backup point guard … He doesn’t offer high-end athleticism or scoring upside, but his leadership, defensive toughness, and pick-and-roll execution give him clear appeal for teams in need of guard depth … After a strong senior year at Louisville and an invite to the G League Elite Camp (though not the NBA Combine), he remains on the radar as a second-round sleeper or priority undrafted free agent … Hepburn’s competitiveness and intelligence could earn him a roster spot in the right situation … With the right development and shooting improvement, he has the potential to become a reliable second-unit floor general who plays winning basketball and elevates those around him.

Notes: Measured 6′1″ barefoot, 192 lbs, with a 6′4″ wingspan, 8′0″ standing reach, and 26.5” max vertical at the G League Elite Camp … Played senior season at Louisville after transferring from Wisconsin … Four-year college player with a reputation for toughness and defensive effort … Finished the 2024–25 season averaging 16.4 points and 5.8 assists … Did not receive an NBA Draft Combine invite but drew interest with strong showings in team workouts and interviews.

Aran Smith 6/24/25