40 Facts About Antonio Reeves

Early Life and High School Career

Antonio Reeves' journey to basketball stardom began in Chicago, Illinois. His early years were marked by dedication and impressive performances on the court.

1. Birthdate and Place: Antonio Reeves was born on November 20, 2000, in Chicago, Illinois.
2. High School Career: Reeves played high school basketball at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and later at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois.
3. High School Achievements: At Simeon Career Academy, Reeves averaged 21.7 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game. He was named All-City Second Team.
4. AAU Team: Reeves played for the Mac Irvin Fire (IL) in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).

College Commitment and Illinois State University

Reeves' talent caught the attention of several colleges, but he chose Illinois State University, where he continued to shine.

5. College Commitment: After high school, Reeves committed to play college basketball for Illinois State University over offers from several other mid-major programs.
6. Illinois State University (2019-2021): During his first two seasons at Illinois State, Reeves was a key contributor. He earned a spot on the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) all-bench team as a sophomore.
7. Illinois State Statistics (2019-20): In his freshman year, Reeves averaged 7.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in 31 games with three starts. He scored in double figures 10 times and made 81-of-211 shots from the field.
8. Illinois State Statistics (2020-21): In his sophomore year, Reeves averaged 12.4 points per game with 24 starts in 25 games. He scored in double figures 19 times and made a career-high 27 points against Drake on January 31.
9. Illinois State Statistics (2021-22): In his junior year, Reeves averaged a career-high 20.1 points per game with 33 starts in 33 games. He was named second-team All-MVC and was a team captain on the ALL-MVC Most Improved Team.

Transfer to Kentucky and Performance

Reeves' decision to transfer to the University of Kentucky marked a significant step in his career, where he continued to excel.

10. Transfer to Kentucky: After his junior season at Illinois State, Reeves decided to transfer to the University of Kentucky to play under coach John Calipari.
11. Kentucky University (2022-2024): At Kentucky, Reeves emerged as a key player and senior presence for the Wildcats. He was named Southeastern Conference (SEC) co-Sixth Man of the Year in his senior year.
12. Kentucky Statistics (2022-23): In his senior year at Kentucky, Reeves averaged 14.4 points per game with 14 starts in 34 games. He ranked second on the team in scoring and made a team-high 80 three-pointers, which is the 12th most in a single season in UK history.
13. Kentucky Statistics (2023-24): In his fifth year at Kentucky, Reeves averaged 20.2 points per game with 33 starts in 33 games. He shot 51.2% from the field, 44.7% from three-point range, and 86.3% from the free-throw line, all career-best marks.

Awards and Recognition

Reeves' outstanding performances did not go unnoticed, earning him several accolades and honors.

14. Awards and Recognition: Reeves was named to the 25-man Wooden Award midseason watch list in recognition of his performance during the 2023-24 season.
15. All-American Honors: Reeves was named to the All-American Third Team by The Sporting News, USBWA, and College Hoops Today (Rothstein).
16. SEC Honors: He was named SEC Sixth Man of the Year in his senior year at Kentucky and was a member of the All-SEC First Team by both coaches and media.
17. Wooden Award Finalist: Reeves was a finalist for the Wooden Award, which recognizes the top college basketball players in the country.
18. Jerry West Award Top 5: He was named one of the top five candidates for the Jerry West Award, which honors the nation's best shooting guard.

Career Milestones and Records

Reeves achieved several significant milestones and set records during his college career.

19. Career Milestones: Reeves became the first Illinois State player to average at least 20 points per game in a season since 2001. He also crossed the 2,000-point milestone for his collegiate career.
20. Scoring Records: At Kentucky, Reeves averaged 20.2 points per game, the most ever by a UK player under John Calipari. He also scored in double figures in 32 of 33 games during the 2023-24 season.
21. Three-Point Shooting: Reeves was an efficient three-point shooter, making 47% of his three-point attempts during his time at Illinois State and 44.7% at Kentucky.
22. Rebounding and Assists: He averaged 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game during his senior year at Illinois State and 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game at Kentucky.
23. Steals and Blocks: Reeves averaged 1.1 steals per game at Illinois State and 0.7 steals per game at Kentucky. He also averaged 0.5 blocks per game at both schools.
24. Game-High Performances: Reeves had several game-high performances, including 34 points with five three-pointers against Valparaiso and 37 points on 12-of-17 from the field and 11-of-11 from the free-throw line in a win at Arkansas.

NBA Draft and Professional Career

Reeves' transition to the NBA marked the beginning of his professional career, where he continues to develop and contribute.

25. NBA Draft: On June 27, 2024, Reeves was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 47th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft. However, he was immediately traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for two second-round pick swaps in 2030 and 2031.
26. Professional Contract: On July 23, 2024, Reeves signed a multi-year contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
27. NBA Debut: Reeves made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024, in a 123-111 win over the Chicago Bulls.
28. Height and Weight: Reeves stands at 6-5 (196 cm) and weighs 205 pounds (93 kg).
29. Agent: Reeves is represented by agent Sam Rose.
30. Free Agent Status: Reeves is under contract with the New Orleans Pelicans until 2026 and will become a restricted free agent in 2027.

NBA Performance and Statistics

Reeves' performance in the NBA has shown promise, with notable statistics and contributions to his team.

31. NBA Regular Season Stats: In his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Reeves averaged 15.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 36.8% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range.
32. NBA Career Stats: As of his first season in the NBA, Reeves has played seven games with zero starts. He has a total of one win and six losses, with a win percentage of .143.
33. NBA Transactions: Reeves was assigned to the Birmingham Squadron of the G League on October 28, 2024, and was recalled by the New Orleans Pelicans on October 31, 2024.

Additional Honors and Recognition

Reeves' college career was filled with numerous honors and recognitions, highlighting his impact on the court.

34. College Hoops Today All-American Third Team: Reeves was named to the College Hoops Today All-American Third Team, recognizing his outstanding performance in college basketball.
35. ESPN All-American Third Team: He was also named to the ESPN All-American Third Team, further solidifying his status as one of the top college players.
36. USBWA All-District 20 Team: Reeves was a member of the USBWA All-District 20 Team, which honors the best players in District 20.

Pre-Draft Process and Draft Rights Trade

Reeves' journey to the NBA included multiple pre-draft processes and a notable draft rights trade.

37. Pre-Draft Process: Reeves entered the 2021 NBA draft but withdrew. He also entered the 2023 NBA draft but again withdrew, choosing to return to Kentucky for another season.
38. Draft Rights Trade: The draft rights to Reeves were traded from the Orlando Magic to the New Orleans Pelicans on June 27, 2024, in exchange for two second-round pick swaps in 2030 and 2031.

Current Status and Future Prospects

As of November 2024, Reeves continues to develop his skills and contribute to the New Orleans Pelicans, with a promising future ahead.

39. Current Status: As of November 2024, Reeves is an active player for the New Orleans Pelicans, continuing to develop his skills and contribute to the team’s success in the NBA.
40. Future Prospects: With his talent and dedication, Reeves is poised for a bright future in professional basketball, making him a player to watch in the coming years.

Antonio Reeves: A Rising Star

Antonio Reeves has made a name for himself in basketball, from high school to the NBA. Born in Chicago, he shined at Simeon Career Academy, then took his talents to Illinois State University. There, he averaged 20.1 points per game in his junior year before transferring to Kentucky. At Kentucky, he continued to impress, earning SEC co-Sixth Man of the Year and making the Wooden Award midseason watch list.

Drafted by the Orlando Magic and traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, Reeves signed a multi-year contract and debuted in October 2024. Standing 6-5 and weighing 205 pounds, he quickly became a key player for the Pelicans, averaging 15.9 points per game in his first season.

Reeves' journey from high school standout to NBA player showcases his talent and determination. Keep an eye on this rising star as he continues to make waves in the basketball world.