2024 NBA draft 2nd-round updates: Antonio Reeves picked; Justin Edwards, Tre Mitchell undrafted

cameron drummond, dennis varney

Thu, Jun 27, 2024, 4:00 p.m.·4 min read

Wednesday night was a busy one for Kentucky basketball with Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham both going off the board early at the 2024 NBA draft. Sheppard went third overall to the Houston Rockets, and Dillingham was the eighth pick by the San Antonio Spurs before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

But for the first time, the NBA draft is taking place over two days with prospects not chosen in the first round having to wait until 4 p.m. ET Thursday to find out where they might start their professional careers.

ESPN has TV coverage of the second round.

A third former UK player was taken during the second round when fifth-year guard Antonio Reeves was selected with the 47th overall pick. While Reeves was taken in the draft by the Orlando Magic, he is being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Former Wildcats Justin Edwards and Tre Mitchell both went undrafted. This was a particular surprise for Edwards, who spent most of Thursday’s second round as one of the best available players left on the draft board, per ESPN.

We’ll update you here with the latest developments from a UK basketball perspective.

And also, follow along here for updates from our dedicated Twitter/X list.

John Calipari, Mark Pope react to Kentucky’s 2024 NBA draft picks

See how former Kentucky coach John Calipari and current UK coach Mark Pope reacted as the Wildcats had three former players from the 2023-24 team selected in the 2024 NBA draft.

NBA draft experts grade New Orleans’ addition of Antonio Reeves

Here’s what NBA draft experts said about the New Orleans Pelicans adding former Illinois State and Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft.

Justin Edwards, Tre Mitchell go undrafted in 2024 NBA draft

Two draft-eligible Wildcats were not selected in the 2024 NBA draft.

One-and-done freshman Justin Edwards — who at one time was viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft — and fifth-year senior Tre Mitchell both were not taken with any of the 58 picks in this year’s draft.

Last summer, The Athletic and USA Today were among the national outlets to project Edwards as being the top overall selection in this year’s draft, a prediction that obviously didn’t come close to holding true.

Edwards will sign a two-way NBA contract with the Philadelphia 76ers after going undrafted.

News on an undrafted deal for Mitchell is expected to also arrive soon.

With the three draft picks that Kentucky had in this year’s event, UK has now produced 141 players that have been selected all-time in an NBA draft.

Bronny James, son of LeBron James, taken by Los Angeles Lakers

One of the most talked-about hypothetical situations in NBA history is now coming true: LeBron James will play with his son, Bronny.

The Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James, a former five-star recruit, with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft.

Bronny was a one-and-done player at Southern California this past season, but struggled amid some incredibly trying circumstances with a bad Trojans team. This included Bronny suffering a cardiac arrest last July, before recovering and returning to play 25 games for Southern California in his one and only college season.

Now, Bronny’s NBA journey will begin by playing for the same team as his father. LeBron and Bronny will be the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time.

Former UK player Antonio Reeves taken 47th overall in 2024 NBA draft

A third former Kentucky basketball player from the 2023-24 team has been selected in the 2024 NBA draft.

Fifth-year guard Antonio Reeves — who averaged 17.2 points with 164 total 3-pointers made over his two seasons in Lexington — was selected with the 47th overall pick in the 2024 draft by the Orlando Magic. Orlando is trading Reeves to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a draft day deal.

Last season, Reeves led UK in scoring with more than 20 points per game, which represented the highest scoring average of any player in the John Calipari era at UK.

Also during the 2023-24 season, Reeves made 51.2% of his shots from the field, 44.7% of his 3-point attempts and 86.3% of his free throws, all of which were career-best marks.

Now, the former Illinois State and UK player has parlayed his collegiate success into an NBA opportunity with the Pelicans.

2024 NBA draft second round begins

The second round of the 2024 NBA draft is officially underway, with 28 more selections to be made Thursday afternoon and evening.

A trio of former UK Wildcats — Justin Edwards, Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell — are still available to be selected.

As the second round begins, ESPN has Edwards ranked as the 10th best available player still left in the draft and Reeves ranked as the 24th best available player still left in the draft. ESPN has Mitchell ranked as the 55th best player still left in the draft.

Following Wednesday night’s first round, Kentucky has now had 140 players selected in the NBA draft.