2024 Draft Watch: Analyzing Justin Edwards, Antonio Reeves, and D.J. Wagner in the Kentucky-BAL Select Game

October 19^th, 2023

I decided to take the time to watch Kentucky play in a July 15^th exhibition game against the BAL Select, with thanks to YouTube via Swish. This game took place at the GLOBL Jam, and Kentucky looked impressive, as they were able to win in a convincing fashion. Justin Edwards showed why he’s considered to be a top prospect of this draft, and he made some really impressive, highlight reel-worthy plays, and D.J. Wagner and Reed Sheppard had some really terrific moments. But Antonio Reeves took over this game as he really showcased a superb blend of shooting, scoring, and playmaking skills to help his team get the victory. Here are my thoughts on how Edwards, Reeves, and other various prospects fared in this game, and where they may stack up as prospects for the NBA. Also, for those that are interested in the box score of this game, here is the link.

Kentucky’s 6-7 freshman, Justin Edwards is a tremendously athletic swingman whose scoring and ball-handling prowess will make him one of the most anticipated prospects to watch for the 2024 draft.
(Photo: Dylan Ballard/A Sea of Blue)

Justin Edwards is a very athletic swingman that can score the basketball in a variety of ways, and he made some terrific plays, especially in the first half. He had a solid showing in this game, and he is a player that can shoot and score the basketball. He did a decent job of knocking down outside shots, and he was able to make a couple of spot-up threes off the catch. On the downside, he was also streaky with his jump shot, as he would miss threes late in this game.

He also showed a knack for scoring on hustle plays. Edwards was able to score on fast breaks, off of cuts, as well as off of a put back to help his team on offense. He was able to drive quickly up the court and utilized a hesitation move in order to throw down a thunderous dunk on the break. On the downside, he would sometimes take rushed, contested shots off the dribble, which led to a couple of misses.

In this game, Edwards would sometimes move the basketball, and he also handles the ball well, especially for a player his size. Sometimes though, he would play too recklessly, which would lead him to commit ball handling turnovers. Another time, he threw a careless, crosscourt pass that ended up getting intercepted.

Also, Edwards showed a satisfactory ability to rebound the basketball. He was able to chase down balls to help his team get boards on both ends of the floor. He also played adequate defense. He was able to intercept a pass to get a steal, and he would get his hands on balls to help his team force turnovers. On the downside, sometimes he would struggle to defend opponents off the dribble. He would sometimes have trouble staying in front of his man, and another time he over-rotated and bit on a pump fake that led him to foul an opponent on a mid-range shot.

In summary, Justin Edwards is a very talented prospect that could end up being a top 5 pick in the 2024 draft. He is a terrific athlete that is a three-level scorer, and he has the tools to be a plus-level defender. He’ll still need to improve his court vision and continue to improve defensively, but his ability to make plays on both ends of the floor combined with having tremendous physical tools could enable him to be a star in the NBA in the future.

Antonio Reeves is an athletic, fleet-footed guard whose shooting and scoring prowess could enable him to be a first round pick in the 2024 draft.
(Photo: Silas Walker/Lexington Herald Leader)

Antonio Reeves put forth a tremendous performance to help lift his team to a double-digit win over the BAL Select. Reeves is an athletic, skilled combo guard that did a great job of shooting and scoring the basketball, and he also excelled defensively in this game.

Reeves did a tremendous job of shooting the basketball. He showed a knack for pulling up to knock down pull-up threes, and he is a gifted ball handler that can easily create open space for himself. He particularly showed a knack for using a quick ball fake to go to his left, and he showed great footwork to do so. He also showed that he can comfortably knock down open, spot-up threes off the catch, and he did an excellent job of making threes to help provide floor spacing for his team.

Also, Reeves would drive aggressively to the hoop, which enabled him to score in transition, and he also used. A ball fake to draw free throws another time. Sometimes though, he would try to rush his moves when driving to the basket, which would lead to misses.

In this game, Reeves had one really good assist, as he was able to push the pace and threw an accurate lob to find an open teammate on the break. He also is a gifted ball handler that has very good agility to create separation from himself and his defenders. On the downside, he was also a bit turnover prone. He would sometimes commit careless ball-handling turnovers, and he also threw an inaccurate outlet pass that ended up being dropped out of bounds.

Reeves also was a willing rebounder that was able to chip in to get a few defensive boards in this game. Plus, he also defended very well. Reeves did a good job of playing help defense, and he was able to quickly jump a pass to get a steal. He also would consistently close out on shooters to force misses.

In general, Antonio Reeves did a great job of making plays on both ends of the floor. He is an athletic combo guard that can really knock down shots, and he also defended well. He looks to be an underrated prospect, and he could project to go in the late first to the second round range, as his ability to make shots combined with having the ball handling skills and solid athletic gifts could enable him to be a solid role player in the NBA.

D.J. Wagner is a very athletic playmaker that plays for Kentucky, and he had a solid showing to help his team get a win over the BAL Select. He excelled at scoring on quick, speedy drives to the hoop, and he also showed a knack for scoring on floaters. He also was able to score off of a cut. On the downside, Wagner missed all of his threes from beyond the arc, and he will need to improve his three-point shot moving forward.

He also showcased good playmaking skills. Wagner is a speedy, fleet-footed point guard that can quickly get into the lane, and he can make passes off the dribble and find teammates on the move to notch assists. He also took very good care of the basketball, and he did not turn the ball over once in this game.

Plus, Wagner did a great job of rebounding the basketball. He was able to get boards on both ends of the floor, and sometimes he would push the pace off of defensive rebounds afterwards. Defensively, he looked to be about average at best. When he would be in position, he would close out on shooters to force some misses. However, he would tend to over-help in the paint and tend to give up too much space to his opponents, which would lead him to allow them to score on open jumpers. Other times, he would struggle to stay in front of his man or defend off the dribble, which would lead him to commit reach in fouls.

Overall, Wagner played fairly well to help his team get a victory in this game. He is a very athletic, high upside prospect that showed off a solid set of offensive skills, and he showed that he can score and pass the basketball. He’ll need to improve his three-point shot and defense, but he has a solid set of skills combined with great athleticism that could enable him to be a likely lottery pick in the 2024 draft.

Reed Sheppard also played well in his team’s win in this game. He is an agile, skilled combo guard that excelled as a shooter, scorer, and playmaker when he was on the floor. Sheppard did a very good job of knock down corner threes, and he also showed a knack for scoring on quick drives to the hoop. He showed a good burst to get to the hoop, and he also was able to weave past multiple defenders to score on a floater once.

Plus, he also showed off good playmaking skills. He is an unselfish player that would consistently find open teammates to get them the basketball, and he can make an assortment of passes to notch assists. He also didn’t turn the ball over often, and he generally took good care of the basketball.

Though he didn’t get many rebounds in this game, Sheppard was able to chase down a pair of boards to get defensive rebounds. Plus, he played adequate defense. Sheppard did a great job of rotating to block three-point shots, and he has good recovery speed to do so. He also was able to run in to poke a ball away to help his team get a steal, and he would consistently close out on three-point shooters to force misses. However, he would sometimes struggle to defend opponents off the dribble, which would lead his team to allow scores. Other times, he would take bad gambles, which would lead him to wind up out of position and put his team in scramble situations.

Overall, Reed Sheppard is an agile, skilled guard that showed off a variety of skills that could enable him to be an impact player at Kentucky right away. He’ll need to play a little more under control, but he is a very skilled player that could move up draft boards, and he could end up being a first round pick in the 2024 draft.

Tre Mitchell also had a solid showing to help his team get a win over the BAL Select. He is a fairly athletic big man that showed off a versatile skill set, and he was able to make some very good plays to help his team on both ends of the floor.

Mitchell shot the ball well, and he excelled at making open, spot-up threes off the catch. He also excelled as a finisher around the basket, and he also would get deep position and score around the basket.

Plus, he also showcased solid playmaking skills. He is an unselfish player that would consistently swing the ball to find the open man, and he can find open teammates on the move to notch assists. He also is a mobile big man that can make passes off the dribble. However, sometimes he would be careless when handling the basketball, which would lead to turnovers. He also was called for setting a moving screen, and he also telegraphed a dribble handoff pass that got intercepted.

He also showed a solid ability to rebound the basketball. Mitchell would crash the glass to help his team get boards on both ends of the floor, and he also would tip balls to teammates to help his team get extra defensive boards.

He also played solid defense in this game. Mitchell showed a good motor and can defend opposing ball handlers in space, and he would actively contest shots to force misses. He would consistently stay in front of his man and be in position to do so. He also was able to deflect a pass out of bounds. Plus, he also was successfully able to draw a charge when defending an opponent on a roll to the rim. On the downside, he would sometimes get outmuscled when defending in the post, which would lead him to commit touch fouls around the basket.

Louisville’s 6-9 sophomore forward, Emmanuel Okorafor played well for the BAL Select team in their loss to Kentucky. He is an athletic big man that can make hustle plays on both ends of the floor, and he also showed off some ball handling skills on offense.

Okorafor excelled at scoring on hustle plays. He will run the floor to get open, and he would score in transition, off rolls, and on put backs. He would sprint down court to create fast break opportunities for himself, and he was able to score on a quick, strong dunk on the break. He also was able to score on a drive off of an offensive rebound smoothly another time.

As a playmaker, he looked to be fairly average. Okorafor handles the ball fairly well for a player his size, and he also would set screens for his teammates on offense. He also is a willing passer that will make the extra pass. On one play though, he dropped a low pass in transition that led to a team turnover.

Plus, he also did a decent job of rebounding the basketball, and he was especially active at crashing the glass to get offensive boards. Defensively, he looked to be about average. For the positives, he is a solid shot blocker that can rotate to swat the occasional shot. He also would use his length to close out on shooters to force some misses. However, he would tend to play too aggressively, which would lead him to wind up being out of position and to commit fouls. Other times, he would over-help in the paint and give up too much space to shooters, which would lead his team to allow opponents to score on jumpers.

Overall, Emmanuel Okorafor is an athletic, energetic big man that can make plays to help his team in the paint, but he will need to expand his skill set offensively and be a more disciplined defender in games. He could be due for a breakout season this year at Louisville, and he currently projects to be a second round prospect whenever he decides to enter the NBA draft.

Nelly Joseph also had a solid showing for the BAL Select team in this game. He is a 6-10 senior that will play for New Mexico, and he is a strong, mobile big man that would make plays to help his team in the paint.

Joseph showed a knack for scoring on hustle plays. He would score on strong put backs, rolls, and in transition, and he is a strong finisher that can finish through contact. He also showed some ability to score out of the post. He was able to score on a contested, turnaround baseline jumper, and he also drew many free throws when looking to score from the block. On the downside, he would sometimes take tough shots, which would lead to misses, especially he wouldn’t get foul calls. He also took a running floater from the mid-range, but ended up missing that time.

As a playmaker, he looked to be about average. He would set solid screens to help create open driving lanes for his teammates on offense. However, there was one play where he rolled but collided into an opponent off the ball that led him to commit an offensive foul and a turnover. He also didn’t look to pass or handle the ball too often, and he was a bit turnover prone in this game.

Also, Joseph showed a solid ability to rebound the basketball. He was able to haul in multiple boards to help his team on both sides of the ball. He also played satisfactory defense. Joseph would jump on loose balls and look to play passing lanes, and he was able to help his team get deflections. He also would rotate to contest shots in the paint to help force some misses. On the downside, he would sometimes be late to close out on three-point shooters and hang back too far in the paint, which would lead him to give up baskets to them.

Overall, Nelly Joseph played well on both sides of the ball, and he is a strong, mobile big man that excelled at making plays in the paint. He’ll need to extend his shooting range and expand upon his game offensively, but his ability to make plays in the paint could enable him to project into a backup big man role in the NBA someday.

Kentucky’s freshman point guard, Robert Dillingham did not play very well in his team’s win over the BAL Select. Known for his shooting and playmaking prowess, Dillingham surprisingly did not attempt a single three-point shot, and he only made one field goal in the entire game.

He didn’t shoot the ball very well, but Dillingham was able to pull up to make a mid-range jumper off the dribble. However, he tended to miss on floaters, and he also would miss on tough, contested drives due to rushing. He didn’t take many shots, but he showed off questionable shot selection when he would look to hoist them up.

He also showcased adequate playmaking skills. Dillingham is a quick, agile guard that can make passes off the dribble, and he will make the extra pass to find the open man. He is a good ball handler that will move the basketball. On one play though, he over-dribbled and mishandled it, and ended up getting the ball stolen away from him to commit a turnover.

Though he didn’t get many rebounds, he was able to leap up to get a defensive board, and pushed the pace that time. He also played decent defense. Dillingham was able to jump on a loose ball to get a steal, and he will apply ball pressure to make it difficult for his opponents to handle the ball. However, sometimes he can play too aggressively, and there was one play where he tried to reach in but got beat off the dribble, which led him to commit a foul that time.

Overall, Dillingham did not play very well, but what was surprising was that he did not attempt a single three-point shot in this game. He was a very talented, but ball-dominant guard when he played in college and in the Overtime Elite, and there will be serious questions if he can play well with others, especially since he’ll be on a very talented team in college basketball this year. If so, he’ll prove his worth and earn significant playing time, and would likely stay within range as a possible first round prospect for the 2024 draft. Otherwise, if he continues to struggle like he did in this game, his stock could drop significantly, perhaps all the way to undrafted territory, and he may need more time to stay in school and polish up his game. He projects to be a scoring point guard that may bring a plus-level jump shot to the NBA, but he will need to improve his shot selection and ability to make plays in a supporting role moving forward.

Kentucky’s 6-6 sophomore swingman, Adou Thiero is a very athletic, energetic player that had his ups and downs, but he had some good moments in his team’s win over the BAL Select. He showed a knack for making hustle plays, but he will need to improve his outside shot.

Thiero showed a knack for scoring on hustle plays, as he would run the floor to score on fast breaks, and he also scored on a put back off of an offensive rebound. He would score on thunderous dunks in transition, and he also was able to use a quick ball fake and split a double team to draw free throws on a drive in transition. On the downside, he would sometimes rush his moves, which would lead to misses.

He also really struggled to knock down jumpers from further out, and he was unable to make any of his outside shots, even when left wide open from beyond the arc.

He also showcased satisfactory playmaking skills. Thiero is an unselfish player that will make the extra pass to find the open man, and he can make accurate passes to find his teammates on the move. He also took care of the basketball, and did not turn the ball over once.

Thiero did a good job of rebounding the basketball. He would crash the glass to get plenty of boards on both sides of the ball, and he was able to push the pace off of a defensive board once.

He also played satisfactory defense in this game. Thiero was able to fly in to block a shot to a teammate to prevent an opponent from scoring on the break. He also would jump on loose balls and intercept passes to get steals. He was able to run in to tie up an opposing ball handler off of a. drive to nearly get another steal. On the downside, he would sometimes play too aggressively, which would lead him to be out of position and lead his team to give up open jump shots.

Overall, Thiero had his ups and downs in this game, but he showed off promising skills on both ends of the floor. He is a very athletic, energetic swingman that will make hustle plays, but he will need to improve his jump shot, but he may be an underrated prospect that whose defensive skills could enable him to project to be an effective role player in the NBA someday.

In watching this game, Kentucky looks to be a very talented team that could contend to win the National Championship. In addition, they could be getting two seven-feet tall or taller freshman centers, Aaron Bradshaw and Zvonimir Ivisic, both of whom didn’t play against the BAL Select in this game, but are skilled, mobile centers whose versatility and intriguing skill set could make Kentucky’s team that much deeper. Kentucky will be a young, but very talented team, and they will be a fun and entertaining team to watch this season.

Kentucky may have as many as four potential lottery picks in Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, Zvonimir Ivisic, and as many as seven potential first round picks with Ugonna Onyenso, Robert Dillingham, Reed Sheppard, and Antonio Reeves in the mix. I was really impressed with Reeves’ shotmaking and ball-handling abilities, and he seems poised for a tremendous season this year. All in all, those are my thoughts on how Edwards, Reeves, and Kentucky fared in this game. Thanks for reading.