Antonio Reeves

Antonio Reeves is an accomplished professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who currently represents the New Orleans Pelicans. Born on November 20, 2000, this promising young player has not only made his mark in the professional league, but also in collegiate basketball where he played for the Illinois State Redbirds and the elite Kentucky Wildcats.

Reeves hails from Chicago, a town known for producing basketball talents. His pedigree began to emerge with his thriving prep career at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, and the reputable Simeon Career Academy back in his hometown of Chicago. In spite of numerous offers from several mid-major programs, he took the decision to commit to Illinois State, a choice that would set the trajectory of his blossoming career.

Throughout his first two seasons at Illinois, Reeves served as a cornerstone for his team. His sophomore year achievements were recognized, resulting in his inclusion in all-bench team of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). Following this achievement, Reeves declared himself for the 2021 NBA draft but opted to return to Illinois State for his junior season.

In this pivotal 2021-22 season, he exhibited unmatched consistency and prowess, averaging an impressive career-high of 20.1 points per game. His outstanding performance made him a second-team All-MVC pick. However, the team faced struggles and, consequently, coach Dan Muller was relieved of his duties. This significant change prompted Reeves to consider relocating to a victorious basketball program.

Reeves’ pursuit of a winning culture found him under the wing of renowned Kentucky Wildcats coach John Calipari. As a senior, he mostly played off the bench but managed to make significant contributions, ranking second on the team in scoring behind All-American Oscar Tshiebwe with 14.4 points per game. Reeves’ significant role and unique talent were rewarded as he was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) co-Sixth Man of the Year.

Following this achievement, he contemplated testing the NBA draft waters again and even considered a new transfer. However, Reeves decided to return to Kentucky for a fifth season that was granted to players whose eligibility was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In what would be his fifth and final season with Kentucky, Reeves was named preseason second-team All-SEC. As the season progressed, he continued to further his growth, emerging as a vital player for the Wildcats and a guiding presence for their talented recruiting class. In January 2024, recognition for his efforts came in the form of his inclusion on the 25-man Wooden Award midseason watch list.

Reeves’ long-held dream of playing at the professional level was finally realized on June 27, 2024, when he was selected as the 47th overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2024 NBA draft. Nevertheless, on the same draft night, he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, a team he would later sign with on July 23.

Reeves’ professional career got off to a flying start when he made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024, resulting in a 123-111 win over his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. Overall, his trajectory, from promising high school talent to professional NBA star, speaks volumes of the skills, determination, and resilience of Antonio Reeves.