Antonio Reeves 'didn't even imagine' he'd be an All-American candidate

Coming into the 2023-24 season, we all knew Antonio Reeves was going to be good. But not many would have predicted he’d wind up being great. So great, in fact, that he’s in serious contention to snag a spot on one of the three All-American teams.

Through 29 games played this season (all starts), Reeves is doing something that only one other Kentucky player (Jamal Murray) has done under head coach John Calipari: average at least 20 points per game. Reeves is right at the 20-point per-game mark while shooting 50.9 percent from the floor, 44.2 percent from deep, and 87.6 percent from the line. He’s hit at least 20 points in 17 of his games played this season, including the last five. There might not be a steadier scorer in all of college basketball than the Chicago native.

What Reeves has been doing this season is essentially unprecedented in the Calipari era. To go from SEC Sixth Man of the Year in 2022-23 to possible SEC Player of the Year in 2023-24 isn’t something we’ve seen over the last 15 seasons in Lexington. It’s a bit funny now to think that, back when he was mulling over his future last summer, Reeves once had concerns about playing alongside so many freshmen.

“I wasn’t sure at first,” Reeves admitted during Tuesday’s pre-Senior Night press conference about how he thought this season would play out. “I was just trying to figure out what was the best fit for me on this team. I didn’t know if I was gonna play this way. I knew I was good already, and I was talented, but just me trying to fit into the role of this team, I wasn’t sure how that was gonna play out.”

It’s played out better than anyone could have expected. Not even Reeves believed he was going to be this good. He’s currently a finalist for the Jerry West Award, given to the nation’s top shooting guard. His name is littered throughout All-American Watch Lists.

“I didn’t even imagine me being in an (All-)American campaign. Not at all,” Reeves said. “I just continue hooping, continue doing what I’m doing, and let the people figure that out.”

Reeves wouldn’t go as far as to say he should be an All-American though. He’s content with letting his game do the talking for him.

“I’m just playing, I’m not gonna answer that question,” Reeves said with a grin when asked if he is worthy of an All-American bid. “But just me putting in the work that I have, getting in the gym every day, focusing on what stuff I need to get better at, that’s what I did.”

Later tonight, Reeves will go through pregame rituals at Rupp Arena for the final time. Kentucky is set to host Vanderbilt in the regular-season home finale at 9:00 p.m. EST on the SEC Network. Don’t be shocked if another 20-point performance follows his Senior Night introduction.

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