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What’s Going On With Kentucky MBB Target Antonio Reeves?

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Illinois State Athletics

Antonio Reeves is a scoring specialist and one of the best players in the transfer portal. Averaging 20.1 points per game, he is the leading scorer of those in the transfer portal and was top 20 in the NCAA last season. Reeves also scores efficiently, shooting 46.9 percent from the field, 39 percent from 3-point range, and 81.8 percent from the free-throw line.

The 6-foot-6, 185-pound transfer visited Kentucky in mid-April, with reports saying all went well. Combine that with his previous connection to UK assistant Chin Coleman, and Kentucky seemed to be the front runner and was expected to receive a commitment this past weekend, then Monday.

However, the days came and went without an announcement, and instead, Reeves listed his final five on Tuesday (which included Kentucky).

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So what happened?

Kentucky Sports Radio’s Jack Pilgrim reported that a source close to reeves cited “playing time and a clear role” as reason for the delay.

This doesn’t make sense as when you look at the roster, it appears that there is a spot or two open on the wing with Jacob Toppin, CJ Frederick, and Chris Livingston the only expected wing players to be on next season’s roster, or is that so?

Is Shaedon Sharpe now expected to be ruled ineligible? Is Keion Brooks Jr returning? Is there a better transfer option?

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Whatever the case, it has not been made clear but it appears that the Kentucky coaching staff knows something in order to put off one of the best transfers available in a position of need. With that said, Pilgrim’s source goes on to say, “It’s not closed off to Kentucky. It very well could happen, but there’s been some brake-pumping on both sides.”

As a result of that “brake-pumping”, a new school has come into the fold, Oregon.

Under the current NIL landscape, Oregon is set up to be one of the schools to benefit the most, as Nike is headquartered there and alum Phil Knight is one of the biggest donors in the country. This has already proved to be true, with the Ducks signing one top-five recruit in the 2023 class, Mookie Cook, and is expected to add another soon, Kwame Evans Jr.

In addition, there is an ample amount of playing time at Oregon, expecting to lose three of their top five scorers.

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This combination of the NIL earning potential and playing time gives Kentucky plenty of competition.

I expect Kentucky is still the favorite, IF they want him, but it is an interesting situation. Reports state that Reeves is anticipated to make a decision between May 10th-15th.

UPDATE (10:00 AM): So much for the reports of a May 10th-15th decision date, Antonio Reeves has picked Kentucky!

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky Earns Commitment From European Big Andrija Jelavic

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ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

Earlier today, Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats received the commitment from Andrija Jelavic, a 6-foot-11 big from Croatia.

As first reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Jelavic is one of the most highly regarded European prospects that is taking his talent to the NCAA.

Soon to be 21 years old, Jelavic averaged 10.8 points per game on 60% shooting from the field to go along with 7.4 rebounds per game for Mega Superbet, the same club that NBA Champion and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic played for.

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As a shock to most, who were expecting Pope’s next commit to be a guard of some sorts, international players can now sign lucrative NIL deals. Kentucky, along with several of the elite colleges, are now in the European market. 

Jelavic, with shades of current European big men, can do just about everything on the court. He can shoot, dribble, pass, finish at the rim, etc. With a very relevant comparison, Jelavic plays almost perfectly in the replacement role of Andrew Carr. 

His commitment now makes him the fifth member of Pope’s additions this offseason, joining Kam Williams, Jaland Lowe, Mouhamed Dioubate and Jayden Quaintance. 

With a 7’2” wingspan, joining an already impressive Kentucky frontcourt, it’s safe to say for certain that this new team will not lack in that department. 

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Next year’s roster was loaded with talent already, but now with the addition of Jelavic, lots of questions are arising: Who will start? How many more players is Pope going to add? What will happen with the walk-ons? 

There’s plenty to think about for Pope and his staff before the season starts, but like he said back when he introduced himself to Big Blue Nation, “We’re here to win banners.” He’s going to make the moves he thinks will do just that for the Wildcats. 

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Four-Star Guard Acaden Lewis Suddenly Decommits from Kentucky

Amidst a recent wave of positive recruiting news for Kentucky, the surprising decommitment of Acaden Lewis is an unfortunate wrench.

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2025 four-star point guard prospect Acaden Lewis has decommited from Kentucky.
UK Athletics

In a shocking, late at night turn of events, four-star freshman Acaden Lewis has decommitted from Kentucky.

Lewis, a 6’3” point guard out of Washington, D.C. first committed to the blue and white in November of last year, following an in-person visit with Mark Pope in his hometown.

Since then, he’s made multiple appearances in Rupp Arena, been featured in photo shoots with his fellow incoming recruits, and spoken on multiple occasions about his excitement to join the team for the 2025-26’ season.

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To say this development is surprising would be a serious understatement.

Lewis released a statement following the announcement, “This was an incredibly difficult decision, but I have to do what’s best for my future,” he said. “Thank you to Coach Pope and the whole Kentucky staff for all they’ve done for me so far.”

While the loss of Lewis is certainly disappointing, there is still much to look forward to next season for Kentucky, who maintain one of the highest rated transfer classes in the nation – and it likely isn’t finished.

To that point, if any reason can be derived immediately for Lewis’ decommitment, it may be found in the same place that Mark Pope and staff will be going to look for answers: the transfer portal.

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Top 10 Transfer Prospect, Former Wildcat Recruit Jayden Quaintance Commits to Kentucky

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2024 five-star big man Jayden Quaintance has commmitted to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats
UK Athletics

Two days into the week and two booms for the Kentucky Wildcats as Jayden Quaintance announced his commitment to Kentucky on Tuesday morning.

If the Quaintance name sounds familiar, it should. He was originally committed to play for the Cats out of high school last season as a five-star recruit. While he was interested in staying at Kentucky following John Calipari’s departure, even meeting with Mark Pope, he elected to play for Arizona State.

In his one season with the Sun Devils, Quaintance averaged 9.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 2.6 BPG, and earned Big 12 All-Freshman and All-Defensive honors.

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The one concern for Quaintance is that he had surgery to repair a torn ACL, which could keep him out for the entire offseason and potentially into the season. That said, the expectation for a return is September, and at just 17 years old, there is so much untapped potential.

Get to know the newest Wildcat commit!

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