KSR Today: Keshad Johnson, G League Elite Camp, NBA Playoffs

Derby season is over and we’re a week away from the Preakness Stakes held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Mint Juleps and Lillies can wait. The transfer portal is officially closed, so don’t expect any crazy new potential additions for the Kentucky basketball team as John Calipari looks to finalize his roster for the upcoming 2023-24 season. And the NBA G League Elite Camp and Draft Combine are both set to be held this week in Chicago — the former begins today — with Oscar Tshiebwe, Antonio Reeves and Chris Livingston all set to participate. Don’t expect any official announcements from any of the three until those events conclude.

And speaking of the NBA, no playoff games are being played today as three of the four conference final participants have now been finalized — the fourth set to be decided on Sunday between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.

There was also some buzz that a decision could come from San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson after wrapping up his official visit to Kentucky this week. In town from Wednesday to Friday, the versatile forward got home late last night and began talking over a commitment. Will that be the case? Unfortunately, the wait will continue with Johnson — like most other news items on this Saturday morning — another week.

Let’s start there.

Keshad Johnson sets commitment date

The 6-foot-7 standout knows when he will be announcing his decision. He’s begun weighing his options, but with his graduation set for Sunday, he’ll really dig into the process to open the week. Then, he’ll travel back home to Oakland to be with friends and family for his graduation party next Saturday. That’s when he plans to announce his commitment, deciding between Kentucky, Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and USC.

“He graduates Sunday and he’s having a graduation party in his hometown of Oakland. His timetable is that he’s going to announce his decision on that day, think it’s the 20th, next Saturday,” Johnson’s longtime coach and mentor, Don Manning-Fuimaono, told KSR. “He’s going to take this week to just reflect on everything and make the best decision. … Keshad definitely has a hard decision to make.”

How did things go in Lexington? Johnson and his mentor loved their time touring the facilities with the Kentucky coaching staff, leaving a “lasting impression” on the two.

“Kentucky basketball is legendary, you know what I mean? If not the most, one of the most prominent programs,” Manning-Fuimaono told KSR. “Coach Cal is a legendary coach. For us to be able to interact with them and be open with them, him being so welcoming to us, it was — I don’t know if it exceeded expectations, but it definitely left a lasting impression.”

Johnson will be prioritizing the connection between coaches and teammates, development, and above all else, winning at his next stop: “He wants to get back to a Final Four, get back to a national championship,” his mentor said.

Antonio Reeves, Jacob Toppin set to begin G League Elite Camp

Jacob Toppin has declared for the NBA Draft and forgone the remainder of his collegiate eligibility — his only focus is on making it in the league at this point. As for Antonio Reeves, though, today starts an important two-day process that will help him decide whether he needs to return to Kentucky or not.

The Wildcat duo has been invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp held from May 13-14 in Chicago, two of 47 total invitees. Top performers in the camp will receive an invite to the NBA Draft Combine, set to begin May 16, also in Chicago.

Reeves declared for the NBA Draft back on April 4 while maintaining his college eligibility, leaving the door open for a potential return. He has until May 31 to withdraw.

The event will be streamed live on the G League’s YouTube page, found right here.

Lakers, Heat advance in NBA Playoffs

Several former Kentucky standouts punched tickets to the conference finals in the NBA Playoffs while a few others have unfortunately been sent home.

The Miami Heat took home a Game 6 win over the New York Knicks on Friday, with star guard Jimmy Butler leading the way with a team-high 24 points on 7-22 shooting and 10-11 at the line to go with eight rebounds and four assists. Former Wildcat star Bam Adebayo was second on the team with 23 points on 9-20 shooting while adding nine rebounds and two steals in the win.

Tyler Herro remains out with a broken hand, though his original timetable or return was 4-6 weeks, potentially putting him back on the floor in the Eastern Conference Finals.

As for the Knicks, Jalen Brunson led the way with 41 points, followed by Julius Randle with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley was unable to play with a sprained ankle.

In the late game, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 to advance to the WCF. LeBron James led the way with 30 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, followed by Austin Reaves with 23 and D’Angelo Russell with 19.

Former Kentucky star Anthony Davis added 17 points, 20 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in the win. Jarred Vanderbilt finished with two points and a steal in four minutes while Wenyen Gabriel did not play (coach’s decision).

After a day off today, Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers will look to win on the road at Boston on Sunday, with Game 7 scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Kentucky baseball crushed in Knoxville

Night one in Knoxville did not go according to plan for the Bat Cats, as No. 17 Kentucky baseball (34-14; 14-11 SEC) dropped the series opener to No. 23 Tennessee (34-16, 13-12 SEC) by a score of 10-6 in front of a sold-out Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

A seven-run third inning blew the game wide open for the Volunteers, hitting three homers en route to the program’s 10th straight home win. The Wildcats did finish strong, however, giving up zero runs while driving in four of their own, including three in the ninth.

They hope to use that momentum to their advantage going into Saturday’s matchup scheduled for noon EST on SEC Network.