By CODY WORSHAM | Tiger Rag Editor
LSU’s 2018 recruiting class could be one for the ages.
With the top player in Louisiana already on board in Javonte Smart, Will Wade added a commitment from five-star New Jersey big man Naz Reid on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know about Reid.
?#Geuxtigers pic.twitter.com/h8CIDKIJDi
— Naz Reid (@NazReid) September 12, 2017
- He’s Huge
Reid is listed at 6-foot-10, and he plays every bit as big as that. Against the top competition in the country, Reid was a dominant rebounder, leading the Under Armour Association in defensive rebounding percentage (25.9 percent) and ranking ninth in block percentage (7.0 percent). At 240 pounds, he’s sturdily built and gets where he wants in the post, and while he’s not a high riser, he elevates with power to finish or contest shots at the rim.
- He’s Skilled
Reid’s game has as much finesse as it has force. He knocked down 33 percent of his 3-point attempts on the UA tour this summer, a number that will likely improve with more work on his stroke at the college level. He can handle the ball like a guard, with plenty of confidence and control to take the ball of the glass and lead a fast break. He recalls to mind a young DeMarcus Cousins, a player through whom an offense can run.
- He’s Connected
New Jersey is a long way from Baton Rouge, but one of the reasons Reid feels so comfortable with LSU is his connection to an athlete already on campus. His girlfriend is Raven Farley, an incoming freshman on LSU’s women’s basketball team. “I just like the whole environment and atmosphere,” he told Scout.com this summer. “It just felt like home with the way coach knew things and stuff like that. It was a good experience.”
- He’s a Tiger, not a Wildcat
Reid had whittled down his list of colleges to two: LSU and Arizona. He spent time on campus this summer on an official visit, and came back in last weekend for an unofficial visit, when he was supposed to visit Arizona. Will Wade was visiting him early this week, reportedly, and LSU landed their man.
- He’s a Game Changer
Reid will partner with Smart to form one of the best five-star duos in the country, a dangerous pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop pairing sure to give SEC defenses nightmares. He’ll also likely grease the wheels for LSU to land four-stars like Baton Rouge native Josh LeBlanc and Florida forward Darius Days. Those four pieces, plus any more Wade might add should there be any further attrition to LSU’s future roster, will form one of the best recruiting classes in the country.
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