Antonio Reeves Withdrawing From NBA Draft, Reportedly 'Weighing Options' Regarding Kentucky Return

The Illinois State transfer is — potentially — running it back in blue and white.

At long last, good news has come the way of Kentucky basketball and Big Blue Nation. 

Sort of.

On Wednesday, the final day to withdraw from the NBA draft, it was announced that senior shooting guard Antonio Reeves will not pursue a professional career just yet, instead opting for a return college. 

Kentucky Sports Radio's Jack Pilgrim reported the news, stating Reeves will "continue to weigh his options regarding destination," meaning that a return to Kentucky for a second season is not guaranteed. 

"It’s a path that will allow him to find an expanded role and greater NIL opportunities in his fifth and final season of eligibility," Pilgrim wrote.

The decision to return to Lexington would be monumental for Kentucky, as Reeves would join a young core of five incoming freshman and two returning sophomores, bringing a veteran presence and leadership to the 2023-24 Wildcats. He'll join point guard Rob Dillingham, combo guards DJ Wagner, Reed Sheppard and Adou Thiero in the UK backcourt next season.

Reeves worked out for the Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks, and also competed in the G-League Elite Camp, but was not invited to the draft combine in his home city of Chicago. Ultimately, he chose a potential return to the Bluegrass. 

His decision follows former UK forward Oscar Tshiebwe, who opted to keep his name in the draft, forgoing the remainder of his college eligibility.

In his first 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.

Reeves 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. 

BBN will continue to wait for the sharpshooter's final decision.

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