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

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2 years ago

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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.

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“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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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Men's Basketball

Star Forward Milan Momcilovic Chooses Kentucky Over Louisville and Arizona

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1 day ago

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June 1, 2026

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Photo via AOL

The wait is over BBN!

Milan Momcilovic has officially announced that he will be playing his senior year of college basketball at Kentucky, suiting up in the blue and white for Mark Pope and the Wildcats!

The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 16.9 points per game in the 2025-26 season, leading the nation in 3-pointers made (136) and percentage from deep (48.7%).

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Momcilovic is mostly ranked as No. 2 in most portal rankings, but ESPN has the former Cyclone as the No. 1 overall player. With that being said, this technically serves as Pope’s first No. 1 transfer during his tenure at Kentucky.

Pulling his name out of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27, Kentucky was seemingly the favorite to land the wing during the entire sweepstakes due to positional need, scheme fit and money available to spend. He could even play another year with the Kentucky Wildcats if the “5-in-5” rule is passed and he forgoes the draft again.

Putting Pat Kelsey in a locker and outbidding him on a recruit is always great for morale, but this fills the much-needed star spot for next year’s roster. Pope and his staff have shaped the team with plenty of skilled players, but Momcilovic adds that extra layer of shooting and will serve as the go-to guy when a game may be on the line.

This will be the final player added to the 2026-27 team, with an insert at the starting small forward position in Momcilovic’s future. Pope and the Big Blue Nation have their guy, and soon enough, we’ll see the Pewaukee, Wisconsin native on Rupp Arena’s court.

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Men's Basketball

National Reporter Matt Norlander Chooses Kentucky as Landing Spot for Star Forward Milan Momcilovic

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6 days ago

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May 28, 2026

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Photo via Imagn Images

The Milan Momcilovic sweepstakes is underway, with multiple teams involved in the No. 2 overall transfer player’s recruitment. It is believed that Kentucky and Louisville are the top candidates after his decision to pull out from the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, May 27.

Along with the in-state rivals, Arizona and St. John’s are both very well still in the mix, but the Red Storm are slowly falling out of contention after landing Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou.

On May 28, national reporter Matt Norlander cleared the air on CBS Sports’ Eye On College Basketball podcast, stating that he believes Kentucky will land Momcilovic by the end of the weekend or Monday.

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“My prediction right now is that Milan Momcilovic will go to Kentucky,” Norlander said. “My understanding is that decision is going to come in the next one, two, three days, four days max.”

He would go on to talk about the other top programs involved, stating why he thinks they will be working in an uphill battle in this bidding war.

“My forecast is that it’s Kentucky, but you know, we’ll see if Louisville can get in there,” he continued. “Arizona I don’t think has the money to contend, like I think Kentucky and Louisville just have more money to play with.”

For the worried members of the Big Blue Nation, this is certainly good news to be put out by one of the most trusted college basketball reporters at the national level.

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Going by this report and Adam Zagoria’s from NYT Sports, it shouldn’t be long until a commitment decision for Momcilovic is announced publicly.

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Men's Basketball

BREAKING: No. 2 Ranked Transfer Milan Momcilovic Removes Name From 2026 NBA Draft

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6 days ago

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May 27, 2026

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Kamil Krzaczynski | Imagn Images

Milan Momcilovic has officially removed his named from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to college for his senior season.

Kentucky leads in his recruitment, followed closely by St. John’s, Louisville and Arizona. A backdoor to Iowa State is also still open.

The No. 2 ranked transfer would be a huge addition to Kentucky’s 2026-27 roster if he committed, averaging 16.9 points per game on 50.6/48.7/87.8 shooting splits last year. Funny enough, in the current world of college athletics that we live in, Momcilovic was responsible for eliminating the Wildcats from the NCAA Tournament, dropping 20 points in the Round of 32.

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He would go on to lose to Tennessee in the Sweet 16 with Iowa State, so at least we know that there’s some inner-hatred for a long-standing rival if he ends up a Wildcat.

He made the most three-point shots in Division I basketball and is a versatile 6-foot-8 wing, which would fit perfectly into Mark Pope’s offensive system. He completed workouts with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves during the draft process.

Now, the bidding war for the top dog begins, with some of the most prestigious programs in the sport placing their bets on the star forward.

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