BB Recruiting

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

Published

4 years ago

April 27, 2022

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).

pic.twitter.com/5VLUT8XHsj— Antonio Reeves (@ToniooReeves) April 26, 2022

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?

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.

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!

BBN stand up!🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CSpXaGQ5hz— Antonio Reeves (@ToniooReeves) April 27, 2022

Related Topics:Antonio Reeves Chris Livingston CJ Frederick Jacob Toppin Keion Brooks Jr Oregon Shaedon Sharpe

BB Recruiting

Kentucky Basketball Receives Prediction to Land International Star Nikola Kusturica

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky basketball has taken over as the favorite for Serbian star Nikola Kusturica, a projected lottery pick in 2028, with a prediction backing the Wildcats.

Just when many believed Kentucky’s roster was complete in terms of contributing players, Mark Pope might have an ace up his sleeve.

Last week, it was reported that Kentucky was among the frontrunners to land 6-foot-8 Serbian wing Nikola Kusturica. At the time, Gonzaga was thought to be the team to beat, having a more defined role to offer, compared to Kentucky, who has one remaining roster spot and a good amount of depth in wing positions.

Since then, things have shifted in a big way.

Gonzaga received a commitment from 18-year-old French guard Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa on Sunday. By Tuesday night, the Wildcats received a Crystal Ball prediction from 247Sports’ Travis Branham to land Kusturica, with a confidence level of 7 out of 10.

The 6-foot-8 wing currently plays for FC Barcelona in Spain’s Liga ACB and EuroLeague system. He just turned 17 years old and is reportedly seeking a two-year college opportunity before becoming draft-eligible in 2028, where he is already being projected as a lottery pick.

The on-court résumé speaks for itself. In the 2025 FIBA U16 EuroBasket, he averaged 20 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game while leading Serbia to a championship and was named tournament MVP. He also helped Barcelona capture the Adidas NextGen Finals championship last month, posting 20 points and 10 rebounds in the title game against Real Madrid.

Next, Kusturica will represent Serbia in the FIBA U17 World Cup from June 27 to July 5, and a college decision could come before then.

Mark Pope is carrying a lot of momentum in recent weeks after retaining Malachi Moreno and adding Milan Momcilovic to this season’s roster, as well as landing the first top 10 prospect of his career in Ryan Hampton. If he can close on Kusturica, that would cap off the roster in a significant way and continue to change the narrative around his recruiting ability.

BB Recruiting

Kentucky Earns Commitment From No. 6 Prospect in 2027 Class Ryan Hampton

Published

2 weeks ago

June 7, 2026

Kai McClelland

Photo via UK Athletics

How about a Sunday boom in the recruiting world for you BBN?

Ryan Hampton, the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2027 class, has officially committed to the University of Kentucky! This is Mark Pope’s first top-10 prospect that he’s earned a commitment from.

Hailing from Rockwall, Texas, Hampton recently took an official visit to campus with his family, which began on Friday, June 5 and spilled into Sunday, June 7, his commitment day.

The five-star wing averaged 21.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game during the most recent EYBL Circuit, playing for LivOn and Nightrydas.

Hampton was the first recruit in the 2027 to officially visit with the Wildcats, and now he’s the first to call their shot early and choose the blue and white.

Pope has signed Milan Momcilovic, the No. 2 ranked transfer, and Hampton, his first top-10 high school prospect just in the past week.

It’s been a crazy week for recruiting, with the narrative around Pope’s ability slowing fading as the top guys continue to be attracted to the Kentucky brand.

BB Recruiting

Fast Riser Big Man Yann Kamagate Receives Scholarship Offer From Kentucky

Published

1 month ago

May 18, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Fresh off the first live recruiting period of the offseason, Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats have extended their first scholarship offer of the 2028 class.

Yann Kamagate, a prospect who went from unranked to the top five in 247Sports’ most recent recruiting rankings, received an offer from the Wildcats, he confirmed to KY Insider on Monday.

“Not everyone gets the chance to be seen by greatness,” Kamagate told KY Insider. “I’m grateful for the offer from Kentucky.”

Kentucky assistant coach Mikhail McLean, who works with the Wildcats’ big men and their development, watched Kamagate first-hand this past weekend in the Adidas 3SSB circuit in Mishawaka, Indiana.

The 7-foot big man was the talk of the weekend, displaying a high motor, extreme athleticism — a reported 7-9 winspam — and great feel for the game. On the circuit, he is averaging 13.9 points, a circuit-leading 10.4 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game.

Originally from the West African country of Burkina Faso, Kamagate moved to the United States just a year ago and has only been playing basketball for three years. Now, he is challenging for the top spot in the 2028 class.

He is currently represented by former NBA player and UCLA star Luc Mbah a Moute. Which is relevant as he is currently playing for the California Adidas team, Compton Magic, and attends La Cañada Flintridge (Calif.) St. Francis.

The offer is the latest signal that Mark Pope’s staff is casting a wide and aggressive net this offseason, and targeting players whose trajectories are trending sharply upward. Kamagate fits that profile exactly.