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Kentucky Basketball: Wildcats land elite transfer guard Antonio Reeves

By Matt Melton

MADISON, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 29: Antonio Reeves #12 of the Illinois State Redbirds dribbles the basketball up court during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on December 29, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. Badgers defeated the Redbirds 89-85. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 29: Antonio Reeves #12 of the Illinois State Redbirds dribbles the basketball up court during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on December 29, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. Badgers defeated the Redbirds 89-85. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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Taking a look back at last offseason, Kentucky Basketball landed one of the nation’s top transfer guards in Davidson’s Kellan Grady. A name who went on to start in 34 games with the Wildcats, Grady would make a significant impact for Kentucky this past season by averaging 11.4 PPG on 41.5% shooting from three.

While the three-point shooting in particular of Grady will be hard to replace this upcoming season, the Wildcats landed a transfer on Wednesday afternoon that could play a similar role to what the senior did a year ago.

Illinois State transfer guard Antonio Reeves commits to Kentucky Basketball

One of top mid-major transfers available in the transfer portal this offseason, the Wildcats have landed a commitment from Illinois State guard Antonio Reeves.

A talented scorer at 6-foot-5, Reeves is coming off a phenomenal 2021-22 season in which he was named the MVC Most Improved Player by averaging 20.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 1.8 APG. Named Second Team All-MVC as well, Reeves also saw a significant rise this past season in shooting percentages as he shot 46.9% from the field, 39% from three, and 81.8% from the free throw line, each of which were career-highs.

A career 13.4 PPG scorer, Reeves has spent the past three seasons at Illinois State where he averaged 7.2 PPG as a freshman in 2019-20, as well as 12.4 PPG as a sophomore. Looking back at his 2021-22 season as well, Reeves scored in double-figures in all but two of the Redbirds 33 games, as well as 18 20+ point performances.

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For a 2022-23 Kentucky Basketball backcourt that returns point guard Sahvir Wheeler, as well as having added five-star Cason Wallace, Reeves will certainly play a key role in the group. The talented guard could very-easily start for the Wildcats this upcoming season, but even if he doesn’t, Reeves is likely a guarantee to rank among Kentucky’s leaders in scoring regardless.

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