Antonio Reeves Not Invited to NBA Draft Combine
Despite a solid day two at the G League Elite Camp, Kentucky shooting guard Antonio Reeves did not receive an invite to the NBA Draft Combine as he continues to contemplate his decision.
ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported a list of eight players that got the call up from the camp in the Windy City to go to the combine on Sunday, not including the Chicago native:
Reeves put up 16 points in 17 minutes on day two of the camp and averaged 10 points and 3.5 rebounds across two games over the weekend:
The outing still wasn't good enough to get the sharpshooter to the next step in his hometown, leaving him with a final decision to make: return to Kentucky for a second season, or keep his name in the draft and hope for the best.
All signs point to a return for the Illinois State transfer, as his name isn't on any draft boards. It's a choice Kentucky is hopeful he'll make, as the Cats could use a veteran presence to go with incoming freshman guards Rob Dillingham, DJ Wagner and Reed Sheppard, as well as sophomore Adou Thiero.
Reeves announced his decision to test the draft waters on April 4, maintaining his eligibility.
"I’ve spent time thinking about what’s best for me and my future," he wrote. "I’ve determined that testing the waters and getting information back from the NBA is the best thing for me at this time. I’ve always dreamt of becoming a professional basketball player, and I am focused on fulfilling that dream but I’m keeping my options open.”
In his lone season in Lexington, Reeves was second on the team in scoring, averaging 14.4 points-per-game, while adding 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists a night. He shot 41.6 percent from the floor and a career-high 39.8 percent from 3-point range.
Like the rest of his teammates, Reeves had his ups and downs in the 2022-23 campaign, but he proved to be one of the top scoring threats in the SEC at points in the season. He reached double-figures in 26 of 34 games, making 14 starts along the way. He was named the SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year.
The sharpshooter eclipsed 20 points in four of Kentucky's final six games, including a 37-point outburst in the Cats' road win at Arkansas to close out the regular season, in which he shot 12-17 from the field and made all 11 of his free-throw attempts. He shot 78.3 percent from the free-throw line.
In Kentucky's NCAA Tournament loss to Kansas State, Reeves went ice-cold, missing 14 of his 15 shot attempts, finishing the game with only five points, three rebounds and two assists, in what was an un-fitting end to his otherwise solid season.
The senior out of Chicago played three seasons at Illinois State before transferring to Kentucky. He appeared in 89 games for the Redbirds, but excelled in his junior year, starting in all 33 games, averaging 20.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He had 662 points that season — the fourth-most in Illinois State history.
Reeves' decision is one of three that loom large for Kentucky, as forwards Chris Livingston and Oscar Tshiebwe are also currently testing the waters, mulling their choices. Both forwards, along with PG Cason Wallace have been invited to the combine, which runs from May 15-21 at the Wintrust Arena.
The deadline to return to school is May 31. The NBA draft is set for June 22.
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Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.
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