Electric SEC guard could be perfect transfer portal target for Michigan basketball

Don’t look now, but things might be turning around for Michigan basketball after all. Last week, the Wolverines landed elite transfer portal forward Olivier Nkamhoua. Now, guard might be next up for coach Juwan Howard, and SEC guard Antonio Reeves could be a perfect match.

If Reeves enters the transfer portal, Michigan basketball could be the perfect match

Let’s clarify: Antonio Reeves is not in the transfer portal. In fact, there’s a pretty significant chance he returns to Kentucky for his 5th year.

However, there’s also a pretty significant chance he will leave for another school. Reeves is currently taking summer classes at his original school, Illinois State. This has led many to believe he’s looking to finish enough credits to be able to head into 2023 as a graduate transfer.

This is notable for Michigan basketball because the program has lost out on multiple elite transfers over the last couple of seasons because of struggles with transferring credits. That issue goes away with the possibility of a grad transfer.

With the combination of Reeves working toward completing necessary credits and the Wolverines’ need for an elite guard, it almost makes too much sense.

To be fair, plenty of “ifs” are involved in this situation, but in many ways, it feels like the perfect match. Alongside Dug McDaniel, Reeves could help make the Michigan basketball backcourt one of the best in the country.

Reeves could bring an elite shooting presence to Ann Arbor

Reeves, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound guard out of Chicago, IL, is one of the best shooters in college basketball. Over each of the last two seasons, he’s made at least 39 percent of his 3-point shots.

Not only that, but he’s more than capable of putting the ball on the floor to get a tough basket. He could frequently be seen putting his head down last season, charging straight into the paint for a layup or rebound.

No game better showcases his arsenal than the Kentucky-Arkansas SEC matchup from this past season. Reeves ended the game with 37 points, including shooting 11-for-11 from the free throw line and 2-for-4 from 3-point range.

Antonio Reeves went OFF against Arkansas scoring 37 of Kentucky’s 88 points in a W 🔥 @ToniooReeves pic.twitter.com/Rw1c2Ac4su

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 4, 2023

Michigan basketball is at its best when an elite shooter is leading the way. In the past decade, players like Trey Burke, Nik Stauskas and Caris LeVert excelled from long-range. In turn, they took over the Big Ten and helped lead some of the best teams Ann Arbor has ever season.

Reiterating what was said earlier, a lot of this is speculation. SEC guard Antonio Reeves isn’t even in the transfer portal yet. Still, if he somehow finds his way to Ann Arbor for next season, watch out. He could bring a scoring presence that this team desperately needs. It’s just a matter of how many more tricks coach Juwan Howard has up his sleeve.

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