Jeff Goodman lists Antonio Reeves as No. 40 impact transfer in CBB

Jack PIlgrimby:Jack Pilgrim•10/27/22

Illinois State transfer Antonio Reeves earned Most Valuable Player honors in Kentucky’s four-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas, then again in the program’s Blue-White Game in Pikeville, averaging a team-high combined 19.0 points per contest on 49.2% shooting (30-61 FG) and 48.7% from three (19-39 3PT) in five total games.

There is a very real debate to be had regarding Reeves’ status as the Wildcats’ leading scorer in 2022-23. Defense remains a work in progress, but in terms of a go-to bucket-getter capable of making shots at all three levels, the 6-5, 205-pound guard is almost certainly the best on the team.

He’s also the No. 40 impact transfer in college basketball this season. Well, if you ask Jeff Goodman, at least.

In his ranking of the nation’s top 100 impact transfers going into 2022-23, you had to scroll for quite some time before finding Reeves’ name. You also had to pass former Wildcat forwards Bryce Hopkins (No. 22) and Keion Brooks Jr. (No. 28) to get there.

No, seriously.

Among other names of substance ahead of Reeves on the list? Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois) at No. 4, Baylor Scheierman (Creighton) at No. 8, Emoni Bates (Eastern Michigan) at No. 11, Johni Broome (Auburn) at No. 12, Andre Curbelo (St. John’s) at No. 20, Dawson Garcia (Minnesota) at No. 27, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Louisville) at No. 30 and Courtney Ramey (Arizona) at No. 33.

Essentially every name-brand player you heard about during portal season this past spring and early summer is ranked ahead of the Kentucky guard. Plenty of others you may not have ever heard of, too.

  1. Kendric Davis (Memphis)
  2. Brandon Murray (Georgetown)
  3. Nijel Pack (Miami)
  4. Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois)
  5. Tyrese Hunter (Texas)
  6. Kevin McCullar (Kansas)
  7. Pete Nance (North Carolina)
  8. Baylor Scheierman (Creighton)
  9. Trevon Brazile (Arkansas)
  10. Mark Sears (Alabama)
  11. Emoni Bates (Eastern Michigan)
  12. Johni Broome (Auburn)
  13. Manny Bates (Butler)
  14. Keyontae Johnson (Kansas State)
  15. Norchad Omier (Miami)
  16. David Jones (St. John’s)
  17. Grant Sherfield (Oklahoma)
  18. Kyle Lofton (Florida)
  19. KJ Williams (LSU)
  20. Andre Curbelo (St. John’s)
  21. Isiaih Mosley (Missouri)
  22. Bruce Hopkins (Providence)
  23. Malachi Smith (Gonzaga)
  24. Jahmir Young (Maryland)
  25. Jake Stephens (Chattanooga)
  26. Jaren Holmes (Iowa State)
  27. Dawson Garcia (Minnesota)
  28. Keion Brooks Jr. (Washington)
  29. Ricky Council IV (Arkansas)
  30. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Louisville)
  31. Ben Vander Plas (Virginia)
  32. Frankie Collins (Arizona State)
  33. Courtney Ramey (Arizona)
  34. Matthew Mayer (Illinois)
  35. Will Richard (Florida)
  36. Osun Osunniyi (Iowa State)
  37. Jalen Bridges (Baylor)
  38. Terry Roberts (Georgia)
  39. Souley Boum (Xavier)
  40. Antonio Reeves (Kentucky)

Yeah. Of all the offseason lists we’ve seen this offseason, this is certainly one of them.

“High-level ball skill and quickness for his size,” an anonymous scout told Goodman about Reeves. “Shot-maker with great touch. Needs to get stronger and add weight. Can play the 1 and the 2.”

Hard disagree.

(Stadium)

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2024-04-25