Connect with us

Men's Basketball

Antonio Reeves, the Underrated All-American, “He Doesn’t Get the Attention He Deserves”

Published

9 months ago

on

Antonio Reeves is having an All-American season, but he is still underrated.
Scott Utterback/USA TODAY NETWORK

Co-Author: Wyatt Huff

Last summer, it wasn’t clear if Antonio Reeves would don a Kentucky uniform again. “I wasn’t sure at first,” Reeves put it himself. Not only did he return, he is likely to be named an All-American later this month, making good on the #AllAmericanAntonio movement on social media.

A former three-star prospect, Reeves has proved himself as one the best scorers in Kentucky basketball history. Sitting at 600 points on the season, already the 28th-best scoring season in program history, Reeves could jump into the top 20 and potentially even the Top 10 if he can play enough games to surpass 714 points. Something not many would have foreseen from the timid Illinois State transfer that joined Kentucky in 2022.

Advertisement

“He’s a different player. He’s made himself a pro,” John Calipari said. “Great layup shooter. Mid-range game, as good as anybody in the country. He’s shooting 50 percent. He’s also rebounding, defending better. He has lived in the gym.”

Throughout the season, Reeves has been a consistent producer for Kentucky to lean on, currently riding a six-game 20+ point scoring streak, and scoring 14+ points in 28 of 30 games this season. “It’s kind of like when he doesn’t get 20, like what?” fellow fifth-year senior Brennan Canada said. “On an everyday basis, he comes in and just brings it every single day. There’s no ups or downs. It’s always Antonio.”

That consistency on the court originates from consistency in the gym, putting up 500-1,000 shots per day. Something his father, Anthony, instilled in him at an early age, “If you give the effort, it is going to pay off.” The fifth-year Senior is averaging 20.0 PPG, tied for the most under John Calipari, while shooting an impressive 50.7% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range, both career-highs. “When he misses, he is stunned,” Calipari said.

Despite his impressive numbers, on a team with so much offensive firepower and multiple future NBA lottery picks, Reeves is often the player that does not get talked about enough, and that’s okay with him. “I just go out and play basketball.”

Advertisement

While Reeves will undersell himself, his teammate Tre Mitchell is sure to give him his flowers. “He’s a silent assassin,” Mitchell said. “He’s never going to talk about it. He’s never going to brag about it. Never showboating. He knows he’s going to go out there and do what he does. I haven’t seen anything like it.”

“He doesn’t get the attention he deserves… The one thing every single night that stays the same has been Antonio Reeves. We’re not in the position we are without him. On top of that, he’s a leader.”

Kenny “Sky” Walker, a Wildcat with his jersey hanging in the rafters of Rupp Arena, believes the same has been as bold to call Reeves the most underrated player, maybe, in program history.

“How many other Kentucky players that’s the leading scorer wouldn’t be an All-American, All-SEC? Get the national recognition that he deserves?” asked Walker. “(Reeves), most definitely, is the most underrated and most underappreciated player, maybe, in the history of UK Basketball.”

Advertisement

On finalist lists for the Jerry West Award and Oscar Robertson Trophy, on All-American watch lists, the individual accolades will come. Reeves is focused on leading this Kentucky team to a deeper postseason run than a season ago. In one of his first interviews as a Wildcat, he said, “I want to win it all, and I want to win big.”

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Men's Basketball

Former Kentucky Player, Top Recruit Could Be Involved in Point Shaving Scheme

Published

20 hours ago

on

November 23, 2024

By

Kentucky transfer Aaron Bradshaw is alleged to be involved in a college gambling scandal.

Once a projected top-10 pick, former Kentucky Wildcat Aaron Bradshaw is now away from the Ohio State basketball program for unclear reasons.

On Friday, the program released a statement that Bradshaw is not currently participating in team activities, but that they could not comment further due to federal privacy laws.

“Aaron Bradshaw is not currently participating in team activities,” the statement read. “The university is following its established process. Due to federal privacy laws, we cannot share further information at this time.”

Advertisement

Ohio State coach Jake Diebler held a press conference Friday night after the Buckeyes’ win over Campbell, where he said could not provide further comment and referred to the University’s public statement.

“Regarding Aaron, I understand you may have some questions,” Diebler said to open his postgame press conference. “As stated, have to refer to the statement that was released and can’t have any comment on that. Respect the job you have to do. Just know I cannot comment on that any further.”

This comes shortly after news of a federal investigation into sports wagering activities broke earlier this week. Former Temple and Virginia Tech guard Hysier Miller was dismissed from the Hokies last month due to the investigation which first started after the Owls were flagged in March by a watchdog group for suspicious gambling activity.

With more names expected to be released in the coming weeks, the investigation has begun to narrow its search to players with ties to Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. Of course, Bradshaw is from Camden, New Jersey, just across the Deleware River from Philadelphia, and those with knowledge of the situation are suggesting he could be involved.

Advertisement

Court documents do show that Bradshaw recently failed to appear in court following a speeding violation, where he was clocked at 102 mph in a 65 mph zone. However, similar situations of student-athletes speeding have not been handled in this fashion.

The wording of the statement does not make it seem like a minor incident that will soon blow over. This is certainly something to keep an eye on, with some believing it could lead to a nationwide ban on college sports betting.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Jackson State: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Betting Odds/Predictions

Published

2 days ago

on

November 22, 2024

By

Kentucky players encouraging each other at Rupp Arena.
Chet White | UK Athletics

The Kentucky Wildcats are back in action Friday to face the Jackson State Tigers in the second game of the BBN Invitational.

To put it simply, Jackson State is bad, very bad. Sitting at 0-5 and ranked 321st in KenPom, the Tigers will likely be the worst opponent Kentucky will play all season.

Coached by Mo Williams, one of LeBron James’ old teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Tigers have only finished above .500 twice in the last decade. This season, Jackson State is predicted to finish fourth in the SWAC.

Advertisement

Mark Pope recently said he wanted to build a standard, regardless of opponent and, and that will be tested on Friday.

Let’s take a look at the matchup.

More 3-Point Attempts

Admittedly nitpicking, one of the things that Mark Pope was not happy with in Kentucky’s win over Lipscomb was the amount of three-point attempts. While they shot nearly 50 percent from deep, going 12-25, Pope wants to see the number of attempts closer to 35.

The Tigers have allowed their opponents to shoot 47.8 percent from deep, the second-worst mark in the country. Pope and the staff will certainly generate a game plan to take advantage of this. Expect to see 30+ attempts.

Advertisement

Ball Movement

Despite beating Lipscomb by 29 points, the Wildcats had a season-low in assists with just ten. For context, Kentucky had averaged more than 23 assists per game entering the matchup.

“That’s not us. That’s not who we are,” Pope said after the game.

While there wasn’t a lot of selfishness, the ball just wasn’t ‘flying’ as it has been early this season. This is a priority for the staff and this mature group, and they will aim for 25+ assists.

Keep JSU off the Free-Throw Line

Jackson State ranks in the top 100 nationally in one area: Free throws made per game. So, Kentucky, defend without fouling.

Advertisement

Kentucky’s offense makes headlines, but the defense has played very well to start the season, holding all four opponents to under 73 points. Let’s see if they can get down in a stance and defend well for 40 minutes vs. a team that stresses contact and drawing fouls.

Opposing Players to Watch

C Shannon Grant 6-11, 290 lbs

  • 7.5 PPG
  • 4.8
  • Preseason All-SWAC First Team selection

G Jayme Mitchell Jr 6-5, 190 lbs

  • 15.0 PPG
  • 3.8 RPG
  • 44.4% 3P

F Romelle Mansel 6-9, 220 lbs

  • 10.8 PPG
  • 5.8 RPG
  • 31.7% FG (second most FG attempts on the team)

Kentucky Wildcats Basketball vs. Jackson State Tigers

Time: 7 PM ET on November 22nd
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: This game will not be on TV and is streaming only,
Online Stream: SEC Network+, ESPN+, and the ESPN app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | JSU
Stats to Know: UK | JSU
KenPom: UK | JSU
Team Sheet: UK | JSU

Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has yet to release the odds for the game, so check Thursday afternoon for an official spread. Multiple projections give Kentucky a 99% chance of winning: Bart Torvik (99%), EvanMiya (99.9%), and ESPN (99.0%). The exception is KenPom (92%).

Predictions: KenPom (93-63), Haslametrics (96-63), Bart Torvik (95-61), and EvanMiya (96-59) all are going with a 30+ point victory, Kentucky!

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball Players Say They Think About Winning National Championship “Every Second”

Published

6 days ago

on

November 18, 2024

By

Kentucky basketball players celebrate after their big over Duke.
IMAGN

The expectations at Kentucky are the highest of any school in the country, and there is good reason why. The winningest college program ever. Eight national titles, under five different coaches. Seventeen Final Four appearances. You get it, a lot of success.

Fans want the players to have those same expectations. Despite not having the elite talent or preseason hype of great Kentucky teams past, this year’s team still has their eyes set on doing something “people will remember forever”, winning a national championship.

Asked on social media, if hanging banner #9 was all the players thought about “every second”, Ansley Almonor had a response.

Advertisement

“We do.”

It takes a lot to win a national championship, including some luck, but this team is certainly going to be loved for their desire to live out their dream of playing at Kentucky and their unselfishness. Those two things can take them a long way this season .

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending