Antonio Reeves selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 47th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft

Antonio Reeves is headed to NOLA.

During the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday afternoon in New York, Reeves was selected with the No. 47th overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans. The Orlando Magic originally held this pick but traded it to New Orleans, per reports. He is the third former Wildcat to hear his name called by Commissioner Adam Silver, joining Reed Sheppard (No. 3 overall to the Houston Rockets) and Rob Dillingham (No. 8 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves).

Reeves becomes the 50th player drafted from Kentucky during the John Calipari era and the 141st overall player selected in program history.

Pelicans are taking Antonio Reeves at No. 47, sources say. https://t.co/9EpHPHnIw7

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2024

After spending his first three college seasons at Illinois State, Reeves transferred to Kentucky for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns where he developed into one of the best shooters of the Calipari tenure. As a senior in ’22-23, he was tabbed the Southeastern Conference’s Sixth Man of the Year, becoming the fourth player in program history to receive that honor.

As a fifth-year senior this past season, the 6-foot-6 sharpshooter became an All-American and All-SEC First Team performer for the Wildcats. Reeves led Kentucky in scoring by averaging 20.2 points per game (the most of the Calipari era) on 51.2 percent overall shooting, including a 44.7 percent mark from deep and an 86.3 percent clip from the free throw line — all three ranking as career-highs. He also chipped in 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists while playing a team-high 31.4 minutes per contest.

Reeves was Kentucky’s most reliable player during his final season in Lexington, recording at least 20 points in 20 games while also reaching double-figures in all but one of his 33 games played. At one point, he scored 20 or more in seven straight contests, the most by a UK player since Jamal Murray in 2016.

While he might be one of the older players in this draft, Reeves’ ability to put the ball in the hoop has never been in doubt. He’ll now have the chance to showcase that on the biggest stage in basketball alongside the likes of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.