James (Anderson) Shepherd '25 Recruiting Profile

My name is James Shepherd, but I am commonly called Anderson or Andy, my middle name. I am a Class of 2025 combo 1/2 guard with a 3.95 GPA. I take AP and Gifted classes at Dacula High School. I play AAU basketball (Hoop Atlanta and formerly Georgia Stars Select) and was the captain of my 9th grade and JV high school teams. In my freshman year, I led the team in scoring and steals. I also led my Spr/Sum 2022 AAU team in scoring and other statistical areas. My sophomore year, I led the JV team in scoring and other statistical categories and was called up to Varsity in December 2022. I received my Varsity letter in the Spring of 2023. In the Spring of 2023, I was invited to play with a Georgia Stars 2025 Select team for AAU (Coach Rob Holloway). During my Junior year, I was a starter on the Varsity team that made it to the State Playoffs in Georgia 7A. I averaged around 10 points per game. I was the only Junior consistently in the starting 5 during the 2023-2024 season. I played AAU Spring 2024 ball with Hoop Atlanta and averaged double digit scoring all season including a 26 and 27 point games respectively in the 2024 On the Radar Sweet 16 Live Period. I completed 2024 Summer Ball with AAU team Hoop Atlanta. I am currently ranked #109 in the Relentless Hoops Top 200 Georgia Seniors (Class of 2025) and 80 in the PrepHoopsGA Top 251.

I contribute a strong basketball IQ, athleticism, and the ability to score at all three levels (3's, mid-range, and finishing). I have been the team captain on every team that I have played for at the high school level. Leadership, team chemistry, and perseverance are important to me. I work hard and will always show up for my team. And because my family has taught me the importance of education, a team will not have to worry about my academic eligibility. I currently take accelerated and AP courses and maintain a 3.9 GPA. I have already taken 5 AP courses and will take several more in my Senior year. I have received the AP Scholar award and am a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Dacula Leadership Team. I was also selected for the prestigious county-wide IDEALS leadership program. I was also selected Gwinnett Tip-Off Club Scholar Athlete in 7A.