NBA Comparison: Justin Holiday

Strengths: A 6’6” wing that is wired to score the basketball. Highly efficient. 51.2 FG%, 44.7 3P, 86.3 FT% shooting split, one of the best in college … Averaged 20 points per game for two different teams (Illinois States and Kentucky). Shot 39% from three each of his past three seasons, culminating in 44% from deep his final season on 5.7 attempts per contest. Has good footwork on the catch – does a good job of getting his feet under him and ready to elevate for his jumper. Can create open looks for jumpers with his step back. Has added a lethal runner that he uses when defenders run him off the three point line. Is able to score reliably at three different levels. Is able to absorb contact at the rim and knocks down his free throws at a high rate -86.3% this season. Has good, although not elite, body control when attacking the rim and the strength to finish tough close range shots. Has developed a solid euro step and shown the ability to mix up his speeds on drives to create open shot angles. Showed significant growth defensively in terms of competitiveness on that end as well as taking more responsibility on that end of the court.

Weaknesses: Age will be a factor for him, as he will turn 24 at the start of his rookie year – played five years of college basketball. Despite growth on the defensive end, is not a stopper on that end – but will compete. Not especially bouncy on the drive, mostly finishes below the rim. Can go cold, especially in big games (2-9 against UNC, 7-25 (3-17 from 3) against Kansas, 1-15 against Kansas St. in the tournament in 2023). Needs to be a complementary piece at the next level. Doesn’t have a strong enough handle to break defenders down off the dribble reliably. Projects as a wing only – lacks the versatility teams value. Can sometimes settle offensively when the offense stagnates. Lack of high level athleticism limits his ceiling and role at the next level.

Outlook: Reeves has really developed his game over the last few years as he transitioned from the Missouri Valley Conference to the SEC. He was an inefficient scorer early who has found ways to build his game around his shooting ability from deep. Having become a more diverse, three level scorer that understands how to find his shots, he is much better equipped to be a role player in the league than he was at this time last year. Due to his age, he likely has a fairly low ceiling. However, he has shown the ability to expand his game as the opportunity has presented itself. Between his skill set and physical maturity, he looks primed to be a wing player off of the bench for whichever team he ends up with. The spacing of the NBA game should allow him to find scoring opportunities, but he will need to further develop his creation abilities for both himself and others if he is to maximize his abilities.

Notes: Measured 6′ 4.50” barefoot, 8′ 4.50” standing reach, 186.6 lbs, 6′ 8.25” wingspan, 29 standing vert, 36 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine … Native of Chicago, Illinois and played at famed Simeon high school …

Eric Yearian 6/2/24