SEC Basketball: Ranking of top 25 players entering 2023-24 season

6. Antonio Reeves – Kentucky

Earlier in his career Reeves blossomed into a high-scoring and phenomenal athlete at Illinois State. The talented scorer departed the MVC and landed at Kentucky last season, settling into a role off the bench. Not only did he average 14.4 points and hit 40% of his 3-pointers from that role, he was also named SEC Sixth Man of the Year.

Suffice to say, Reeves should have an even greater impact in his fifth and final collegiate season. He’s a veteran presence on a young and very talented Kentucky squad. He may not need to score 20 points a game like he did at Illinois State, but he’s an elite shooter and high-level scorer who’ll factor heavily into Calipari’s offensive gameplan, especially as some of these young players continue to adjust and develop to the game.

5. Riley Kugel – Florida

Formerly a Top 100 recruit, Kugel played very solid ball as a freshman last year but that was just the beginning for him. He put up 9.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game and showed great potential as a shooter and these Gators may lean heavily on that potential this season.

Expected to have a breakout sophomore campaign, Kugel really stood out in the final weeks of last season and now has a full offseason in Todd Golden’s program. Every part of his game has improved over these last few months and many expect Kugel to become one of the SEC’s best performers. Florida’s potential rests on his shoulders, though he does have several talented new faces around him for year two.