Antonio Reeves to Test NBA Draft Waters, Maintaining College Eligibility

The Illinois State transfer still may return for a second season at Kentucky.

The next domino has fallen from Kentucky basketball's 2022-23 roster. 

Shooting guard Antonio Reeves, who transferred to UK from Illinois State last offseason, announced on Tuesday that he will test the NBA draft waters, but is maintaining his college eligibility: 

🙏🏾🤍 pic.twitter.com/D7OcOd9KQg

— Antonio Reeves (@ToniooReeves) April 4, 2023

“First of all, I want to thank God because none of this would be possible without Him. I also want to thank my family for their unwavering support," Reeves wrote. "My time at Kentucky has been everything I dreamt it would be. Coach Cal and the staff pushed me to become a better all-around player and my teammates and I created bonds that will last a lifetime. I want to thank Big Blue Nation. You are the best fans in the country and we felt your passion all season long and everywhere we went.

I’ve spent time thinking about what’s best for me and my future. 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. 

Now Reeves will look to hear feedback as he potentially enters the NBA draft. Expectations are that he will return for a second season with UK, as current mock drafts aren't projecting the 6-foot-5, 205-pounder to get selected. 

His decision is the fifth among Kentucky's roster. Freshman guard Cason Wallace and senior forward Jacob Toppin are entering the draft, senior PG Sahvir Wheeler is hitting the transfer portal and walk-on-turned-scholarship guard Brennan Canada is returning for another season in Lexington. 

Pros and Cons of Tshiebwe Returning for a Third Season at Kentucky

More on the soon-to-be Wildcats HERE.

Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.

More on the potential roster overhaul in Lexington HERE.

More on the loss to Kansas State HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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