The Big Easy just got a whole lot tougher for opposing defenses. Antonio Reeves, Kentucky’s sharpshooter supreme, heard his name called 47th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in Thursday’s NBA draft.
Reeves’ selection capped off a banner night for Big Blue Nation, joining fellow Cats Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham in the pro ranks. It’s the 24th time UK’s sent at least three players to the Association in a single draft, further cementing Lexington’s reputation as the NBA’s favorite farm system.
“Antonio’s got that killer instinct,” a Pelicans scout told the Courier Journal. “We’re getting a guy who can fill it up from anywhere on the court.”
Reeves’ journey from Illinois State transfer to All-American is the stuff of bluegrass legend. The 6-foot-6 guard torched nets to the tune of 20.2 points per game last season, leading a prolific Kentucky offense. His 44.7% clip from downtown had NBA GMs salivating.
But Reeves isn’t just about the numbers. His seven-game streak of 20-point outings had Rupp Arena rocking like the good old days, channeling the spirit of Jamal Murray’s 2016 tear.
While Reeves prepares to bring the bayou to its feet, his draft classmate Justin Edwards is taking a different path to the pros. The Philly native inked a two-way deal with his hometown 76ers, looking to parlay his athletic gifts into NBA minutes.
Edwards, a former five-star recruit, showed flashes of brilliance in Lexington. His perfect 10-for-10 shooting night against Alabama had Kentucky fans dreaming of March glory.
As the dust settles on another draft night, one thing’s clear – the Kentucky to NBA pipeline is flowing stronger than ever. Reeves and Edwards are just the latest Wildcats ready to leave their mark on the league. The question now is, who’s next?
