Scoring balance could lead Kentucky to gold medal in GLOBL Jam

The Kentucky basketball team will take the floor one more time in July when the Wildcats face off against Team Canada for the second time in Toronto. In the previous meeting, strength in numbers allowed John Calipari’s squad to record their most impressive victory of this international tour.

In the 93-69 win, the Wildcats got double-digit scoring production from four players with Antonio Reeves (23 points) leading the way. Meanwhile, expected high-level contributors Tre Mitchell and DJ Wagner combined to score 17 points. That kind of balance should lead to big results for the Cats this season.

As expected, Reeves is leading the way in Canada. The veteran returnee has gone for 20-plus points in each outing and has flashed his high-level three-point shotmaking throughout pool play at GLOBL Jam. Reeves is averaging 24.7 points per game and will be a critical player for this offense to help prevent opposing defenses from sagging off and crowding the paint.

However, Kentucky’s veteran is getting some help in Toronto.

Mitchell shined against Team Germany. Reed Sheppard had a huge game against Team Canada. Wagner put up numbers against Team Africa. Adou Thiero has provided well-rounded production as a small ball four. We haven’t even seen Robert Dillingham produce in bunches like he’s capable of.

That’s before even getting to five-star forward Justin Edwards. Kentucky is also without blue-chip bigs Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso. Kentucky’s offensive balance feels like a huge team strength heading into the 2023-24 season.

Reeves is the closest thing that UK has to a college star and there are a few freshmen that could develop into household names this season. However, this Kentucky squad appears to have a balanced team and that is what could lead to big results on the hardwood when the real games arrive in just a few short months.