Antonio Reeves Bio
Antonio Reeves (born November 20, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays on a two-way contract with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League. Reeves played college basketball for the Illinois State Redbirds and the Kentucky Wildcats before being selected 47th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2024 NBA draft.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 205 pounds, Reeves has built a reputation as a reliable scoring wing. His college journey from the Missouri Valley Conference to the Southeastern Conference helped him develop the skills that pushed him into professional basketball.
Early Life and Background
Antonio Reeves was born on November 20, 2000, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. Growing up in a city known for its deep basketball tradition, Reeves was surrounded by the sport from an early age. Chicago’s basketball culture, with its rich history of producing talented players, played a major role in shaping his interest in the game.
Reeves attended Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona, before returning to his hometown to finish his prep career at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago. Simeon is one of the most respected basketball programs in the country and has produced several NBA players. The exposure and competition he faced during his high school years helped prepare him for the next level of the sport.
Following his high school career, Reeves committed to Illinois State University over offers from several other mid-major programs. His decision to play for the Redbirds gave him the opportunity to grow as a player in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Path to Basketball
Reeves began his college career with the Illinois State Redbirds, where he quickly became a key contributor. As a sophomore, he earned a spot on the Missouri Valley Conference all-bench team, showing his scoring ability even in a reserve role. He declared for the 2021 NBA draft but chose to return to Illinois State for his junior season.
During the 2021-22 season, Reeves had a breakout year, averaging a career-high 20.1 points per game. His strong play earned him second-team All-MVC honors. However, the team struggled that season, and head coach Dan Muller was fired. With the coaching change, Reeves decided to transfer to a program with a stronger winning tradition.
Reeves ultimately chose Kentucky and head coach John Calipari. The move to the Southeastern Conference gave him the chance to compete at a higher level and showcase his skills on a bigger stage.
Antonio Reeves Career
Early Career (2021-2023)
As a junior at Illinois State, Reeves emerged as one of the top scorers in the Missouri Valley Conference. His 20.1 points per game during the 2021-22 season demonstrated his ability to carry an offense. The second-team All-MVC selection confirmed his status as one of the conference’s best players.
After transferring to Kentucky, Reeves joined the Wildcats for his senior season. He mostly came off the bench and ranked second on the team in scoring behind All-American Oscar Tshiebwe, averaging 14.4 points per game. At the end of the season, Reeves was named the Southeastern Conference co-Sixth Man of the Year. He tested the NBA draft waters but chose to return to Kentucky for a fifth year, which was granted to players whose eligibility was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kentucky Breakthrough (2023-2024)
Entering his fifth year, Reeves was named preseason second-team All-SEC. As the season progressed, he emerged as a key player for the Wildcats and a senior presence alongside their talented recruiting class. In January 2024, his strong performance earned him a spot on the 25-man Wooden Award midseason watch list, alongside teammate Reed Sheppard.
Reeves finished the 2023-24 season as one of the top players in the Southeastern Conference. His play throughout the year earned him first-team All-SEC honors and third-team All-American recognition. His fifth season at Kentucky cemented his reputation as a reliable scorer and helped position him for the 2024 NBA draft.
Charlotte Hornets Era (2025-Present)
On June 27, 2024, Reeves was selected with the 47th overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2024 NBA draft. On draft night, he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for two second-round pick swaps in 2030 and 2031. He signed with the Pelicans on July 23, 2024.
Throughout his rookie season, Reeves was assigned several times to the Birmingham Squadron, the Pelicans’ NBA G League affiliate. He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024, in a 123-111 win over the Chicago Bulls. On November 20, 2024, he scored a career-high 34 points in a 128-100 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On July 3, 2025, Reeves was waived by the Pelicans. He later joined the Pelicans for the 2025 NBA Summer League before signing a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets on July 26, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reeves is known as a scoring wing with the ability to put up points in a hurry. His shooting range and ability to create his own shot made him a dependable offensive option throughout his college career. His size at 6 feet 5 inches allows him to play multiple perimeter positions, and his scoring instincts translated quickly to the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Reeves’ young professional career came on November 20, 2024, when he scored 34 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers. His NBA debut against the Chicago Bulls in October 2024 was another milestone, marking the beginning of his professional journey. Being drafted 47th overall in 2024 and later signing a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets in July 2025 further highlighted his persistence in the league.
Antonio Reeves Career Wins
Antonio Reeves has compiled an impressive list of individual awards across his college and professional career. His scoring ability earned him conference honors at both Illinois State and Kentucky, along with national recognition during his final college season.
College Highlights
During the 2023-24 season at Kentucky, Reeves was named a third-team All-American and earned first-team All-SEC honors. The previous season, he was recognized as the SEC co-Sixth Man of the Year after serving as a key reserve for the Wildcats. At Illinois State, his second-team All-MVC selection in 2021-22 highlighted his scoring prowess in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Other Performances
As a sophomore at Illinois State, Reeves earned a spot on the MVC all-bench team, an early sign of his scoring potential. His consistent development across multiple college programs prepared him for the jump to professional basketball.
Antonio Reeves Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Reeves grew up in Chicago, Illinois, a city with a deep tradition of producing top basketball talent. His path through Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix and Simeon Career Academy in Chicago connected him to two strong basketball communities that helped shape his game.
Personal Life
Antonio Reeves focuses much of his public life on his basketball career. He continues to pursue his professional goals as a member of the Charlotte Hornets organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Antonio Reeves. After spending his rookie campaign with the New Orleans Pelicans and their G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, he was waived by the Pelicans in July 2025. He then joined the Pelicans for the 2025 NBA Summer League to showcase his abilities.
On July 26, 2025, Reeves signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets, linking him to the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to continue his development within a new organization. His previous NBA experience, including a 34-point performance against the Cavaliers, demonstrated his scoring potential at the highest level.
Looking ahead, Reeves will aim to make the most of his two-way contract with the Hornets and earn a more permanent role in the NBA. His college pedigree and early professional flashes suggest he has the tools to compete for rotation minutes in Charlotte.